At Anderson College, we are constantly amazed by the courage of our students, faculty, and staff. In December 2021 we ran a “My Courageous Moment” story-gathering campaign to celebrate our students, their strength, the moments that have defined their lives and the people who have motivated them to overcome and succeed.
In sharing our stories, we realize we are not alone and are often inspired to recognize, or to find, our own extraordinary courage. We hope the following story moves you, as it has our Anderson family.
My name is June Sotelo, I’m 27 years old and currently taking the Personal Support Worker (PSW) course at Anderson College. The reason I decided to pursue this course is because I made a promise to my grandmother before she passed away. I told her that I would finish my school no matter what happens. My grandmother was my number one supporter, and she truly loved me for who I am.
My grandmother passed away a few years ago and I was very heartbroken. I lost myself for few years; a lot of bad things happened to me, and I made a lot of wrong decisions in my life, letting my emotions take control over me. A lot of people knew me as a failure, no future, no money, as one who gives up easily, and wouldn’t finish college. Only my grandmother believed in me. The hardest thing for me is that it’s my own family and relatives who have made me feel useless and treated me like I had no future.
“I know I wasted a lot of years, but I want to prove to others that I can be something and I will finish my school.”
In my family if you don’t have a good education and you’re not making good money, you are nothing to them. That is why I learned to be humble, nice and to love my family and others no matter what happens. Even if those I care about have nothing, I will never be blinded by money. My father always told me, “Look at your cousins, they are nurses now and making good money. Look at your friends, they all finished college, and look at yourself”.
I know I wasted a lot of years, but I want to prove to others that I can be something and I will finish my school. I want to do this for my family especially for my father, and my grandmother. I also want to do this for my kids, to give them a better life. I don’t want my kids to experience my past. I want them to finish school and have a good and happy life.
Take the “Anderson College Personal Support Worker Career Discovery Quiz”
“I want to dedicate my diploma to her and tell her, “Hi Grandma, I Did It! I hope you are proud of me”.”
I’m tired of losing and I will finish my school no matter what happens. Anderson College gave me the opportunity to be something, and I won’t waste it. How I wish my grandmother was still alive today and to see me graduate. I want to dedicate my diploma to her and tell her, “Hi Grandma, I Did It! I hope you are proud of me”.
Life taught me that no matter what happens to you, you just need to keep moving forward. You don’t need to look back at your negative past; just let it go and everything will be okay. This is for you Grandma Flora! I love you so much and I miss you a lot.
Don’t give up and don’t lose hope. Life will teach you that no matter what happens, you just need to keep moving forward and don’t focus on looking back.
Just let it go and everything will be okay.
Stay happy and positive!
June S.
To learn more about our Personal Support Worker program or our 30+ leading-edge programs to help you take life to the next level of success, book a virtual appointment with our Admissions Team today!
