Maria Garibay-Campos

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I know that CCA aspires to be a college where every student succeeds and I know that the CCA Foundation’s mission is to build financial and public support for the Community College of Aurora.  I would not gotten where I am today without the support of the Community College of Aurora Foundation and the donors who support scholarships for students at CCA.

I would like to tell you how your support has helped me move on with my life despite all the barriers I’ve had to overcome.  Immigrating to the United States as a child was a challenge itself.  And growing up with a lack of resources was an even harder experience.  Being one of the worst victims of the loophole immigration system gave me frustration and feelings of quitting. But quitting isn’t an option, right?!  People like you have given me the courage to stand back up and fight for my dreams despite how much I am kept from opportunity.

If it wasn’t for people like you, I would have just graduated as valedictorian of my high school class and college would have just been a dream for me.  I’ve dreamt of becoming a nurse since I was young. Different health care programs, internship opportunities and recent personal experiences with the health care system, all have encouraged me to pursue my interest in science and have strengthened my determination and passion to go into nursing.

I hope to bring a new perspective into the field of nursing as a Latina.  Because of support from people like you, I went from being that girl who had to rely on donated food and toys for Christmas…that girl who doubted ever being able to attend college.  But now, I’m the president of one of the most prestigious international honors societies. I’m also president of the Hispanic scholarship fund and I’m a mentor to struggling high school students.

Everything is possible, because I have people like you who believe in me and my dreams.  The struggles of the support system have made me a lifetime volunteer.  I want to continue to show other struggling people, like myself, that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

With all the challenges I’ve had to go through and without the financial help from donors, I would not have the ability to say that I’m going to be a first generation college student.  I’m sure I speak for many other students…without the help from donors, college would just not be a possibility.

Scholarships didn’t just help me pay for college, they gave me the desire to give back to my community.  Thank you all from the bottom of my heart! Or as we call it in science: the apex of my heart.  Thanks to all of you for being a part of my journey, to change and make this place a better world than how we found it.  Community College of Aurora and the Community College of Aurora Foundation…gracias!