Facing tragedy following COVID, Starr County graduate finds the will to succeed
The most important lessons in higher education are often learned outside a classroom, according to Giselle Juarez who speaks about perseverance even in the face of tragedy and unexpected obstacles.
The most important lessons in higher education are often learned outside a classroom, according to Giselle Juarez who speaks about perseverance even in the face of tragedy and unexpected obstacles.
Her success, she said, is a testament to friends, family, staff and faculty at South Texas College who all came together to ensure she received her diploma despite challenges.
From the start, Juarez said she was on schedule to complete her degree with astonishing speed. She began taking STC courses as a sophomore at Preparatory for Early College High School in Rio Grande City and was only three courses shy of graduating when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
“I wanted to do it because of my family. I'm a first-generation graduate, and when I see those in the working world, I know I want to get there in the future. Attending South Texas College and especially getting involved in SGA has been a beautiful experience, and I encourage everyone to discover the benefit of stepping out of their comfort zone to do something truly wonderful while they are here.”
The altered class schedule was overwhelming, and she fell too far behind, so she ended up dropping her classes. Then tragedy struck.
Juarez said her grandma and several family members all passed away suddenly during the pandemic.
It would take her more than a year to find the strength to come back to complete her degree. Returning involved pushing through the depression, heartbreak and grief, said Juarez who came back to college fall 2022 and was among the 2,400 students to receive a degree this month from STC. She completed her degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
“I had to take a break… my grandmother and several family members passed away because of COVID so it all just hit me at once,” Juarez said. “I went through a really bad mental state. But I kept working on myself, striving hard to bounce back from those challenges. I knew I had to keep pushing through to continue on with my studies.”
A standout student at STC’s Starr County campus, Juarez is well regarded for her participation as a senator in Student Government Association (SGA). Through her involvement, Juarez said she appreciates her role as a voice for students and their needs.
Participating in college life and a hunger for success pushed her through some of the darkest moments of the pandemic, she said.
“I wanted to do it because of my family. I'm a first-generation graduate, and when I see those in the working world, I know I want to get there in the future,” Juarez said. “Attending South Texas College and especially getting involved in SGA has been a beautiful experience, and I encourage everyone to discover the benefit of stepping out of their comfort zone to do something truly wonderful while they are here.”
Registration is currently underway for the spring 2023 semester at South Texas College. Please visit www.southtexascollege.edu/register/ to begin your own journey.