First-Generation College Students Carve a New Path
Art by Felicia Lankford | VOX Staff (and also a first-generation college student)
Unexpected Inspiration
—Teyonna Ridgeway | VOX Staff
Recently while talking to my mother about college expenses, tears quickly formed in my eyes. I was concerned about how I would pay for everything with the unfortunate financial condition we’re in. But my tears did not faze my mother. She looked at me and said, “You’re my investment.” She promised me that she would help in any way she can because I am the first person in my family to enter this new chapter.
Being the first out of my family to seek a higher education is an honor and a responsibility. As a first-generation college student, I feel like I have to maintain my reputation. I have always been a hard worker who does not accept mediocre grades. I strive to be successful in any situation I encounter. I do not depend on my mother to have conferences with my teachers or stay on top of my schoolwork. I feel like that is my responsibility. My independence makes it that much more important to do well in college because I will not be able to blame my failure on anyone else.
I embrace the title of a first-generation college student but I also use it to motivate everyone in my family. I encourage my siblings that they can attain better jobs if they go beyond a high school diploma. With my motivation, even my mother is considering going back to school to prepare for a career she has always wanted. I show my family that they too can strengthen their knowledge, and that they shouldn’t let their circumstances define their abilities. My courage inspires my entire family.
I have a lot to accomplish in the next four years. High school is a completely different ball game than college, but I am ready for the journey. I know that my family holds high expectations for me. But I also hold high standards for myself. Whatever school I ultimately choose will further help me become the intelligent, successful woman that I am destined to be.
Teyonna is a senior at Miller Grove High who loves the spring but is so ready for summer!
From a Past of Poverty to a Future of Success
—Veronica Coates | VOX Staff
Out of 28 grandchildren, five siblings and my parents, I will be the first to graduate high school and attend college. I am equal parts proud and scared of this accomplishment. Proud because it is something that I have worked for tirelessly for so many years. But in the same breath I am scared because I have high expectations to meet as the first in my family to attend college. One thing I constantly saw as a result of the lack of education in my family was a struggle for money and happiness. I decided long ago that I would have a life filled with comfort, stability and financial security—things my family have never known. I never want my children to experience homelessness or go days without food like I sometimes had to. I believe that by furthering my education I will have the resources to create a happy life for my future family and myself. With an education I can develop skills that will help me even when times get hard as it sometimes does.
But with the promise of being a first-generation college student comes a lot of responsibility that I’m not sure I’m asking for. My family is depending on me so much to be successful. While I want to be the best person I can be, I feel like it’s not my responsibility to be the one to fulfill their expectations. I just want to be Veronica. I don’t want to be under a microscope because I am going to college. I don’t want to be criticized if I make a mistake, either. For once I want to do something just for me and not for my family. I’m proud that I am graduating from high school with honors and a full scholarship to Middlebury College in Vermont. But I’ve earned all of this for myself so that I can live a good life, not necessarily for my family.
If my positive decisions can do one thing, I want them to inspire my siblings and young nieces so that they can rise above poverty through education. I want to be the positive example of success for them that I never had. I want them to know that it’s possible to be something greater than the circumstances we were born into. And with education, so many more doors can be opened. They just need to go for it.
Veronica is a senior at Washington Senior Academy. She can’t wait to get a summer job, so she won’t be broke her freshman year in college!
Bound for Success
—Tracy Jackson | VOX Staff
Although my parents never attended college, they always encouraged me to work hard in school and helped me in the best ways they could, whether it was teaching me multiplication during elementary school or helping me master vocabulary and study for spelling tests. Failing and making mediocre grades have never been acceptable to my parents. They set high standards and made it known early on that I needed to excel academically because they want me to be successful. They don’t want me to struggle working all hours at dead-end jobs. They want me to be able to work my own hours and be my own boss, so that I can have a better career than they do.
I plan to go beyond where my parents stopped: high school. I have always dreamed of going to a top college or university without paying a lot of money. Now, instead of dreaming, I have accomplished one chapter of my life. This year, I received a scholarship from The Posse Foundation, an organization that gives students (many of whom may have been overlooked in the traditional college selection process or unable to afford the high price tag of college) precollegiate training and access to college. Along with the Posse scholarship, which pays for my tuition, I was also granted an acceptance letter to attend College of Wooster in Ohio. Even with these successes, I still have more steps to take. I’ve got to graduate from college on time and start working toward my career.
Author and American University professor John M. Richardson Jr. once said this: “When it comes to the future, there are three kinds of people: those who let it happen, those who make it happen, and those who wonder what happened.” I plan to make my future happen by exceeding in whatever career I decide to pursue.
Tracy is a senior at Westlake High, and he can’t wait until graduation.
i have enjoyed reading thank for sharing your story Greeting.
Wow, this post really hit home. I too am a first generation college student paying for school entirely on my own. I only have a year left, but it feels really good to know that there are other people out there like me, who are independently making their dreams come true. 2 things- #1 Its really great that you have the support of your mother. It may not be financial but its definitley not something to take for granted. thats awesome :) #2 I’m from PA and traveled to Ohio frequently and as long as you dont mind a little cold, you’ll love it there! Its a great place to be.
Good luck with all of your endeavors!