Class of 2020 Grad Stories - Pushing Forward

After serving seven years in the Marine Corps, I finally started college. I was able to finish my degree in sociology, maintaining a 4.0 GPA throughout the spring semester, and graduating with a 3.85 GPA – all while raising my beautiful 13-year-old daughter as a single father, and struggling to keep my small business alive during a worldwide pandemic. Although there were many times that I didn’t think I’d make it, I persevered. I am thankful to my daughter, professors, family and friends, who believed in me and inspired me to keep pushing forward through these hard times! Now, I can proudly say I am OFFICIALLY a Modesto Junior College graduate! My end goal is to earn a master’s degree and become a marriage and family therapist. I am on my way, by continuing with my studies at Stanislaus State.

- George Retana

I started Modesto Junior College in 2018 and had positive experiences attending events and making friends. However, this year changed all that. Soon, I was ripped away from my friends and away from the college I held dear to my heart. I was left in fear, anger and anxiety, as I sought to complete my final semester. But no matter what, I knew I had to finish strong, and I did just that – successfully graduating with an associate’s degree in graphic design, during this tumultuous year marked by a global pandemic, riots and natural disasters. I am now enrolled at Biola University, studying and training to become a pastor. 

- Trevor McFadden

I am proud of myself, because I thought I would not achieve my goal of graduating, and making my dreams come true. I have gone through so many difficult moments that often left me feeling overwhelmed. I had moments that I wanted to leave everything and give up. But I am thankful for the great programs at MJC – and one in particular that helped me to continue. I am grateful for the CARE Program. It really helped me to keep going, all the way until the end. Nothing is impossible if you believe in yourself!

- Emma Castanon

MJC gave me a place to find myself after my grandma died, when I needed to figure out who I was. I owe so much to the clubs I joined and eventually had the honor of leading. Learning that I could be successful in academia through the Honors Program, and that I could be a leader whom others believed in when I ran the Inter-Club Council meant so much to me. Being a tutor and supplemental instruction lead showed me how rewarding it was to help students succeed. I went from being an A/B student who didn't know her future to getting a 4.0 for four semesters in a row, getting into my dream school (Berkeley) on a scholarship, and being named Student of the Year! I am so grateful, not only to MJC, but to the entire Modesto community. Being a part of MoPRIDE and serving the LGBTQ+ community strengthened my resolve to go to law school. Putting on the first pride education conference made me realize that empowering, educating and advocating for LGBTQ+ youth is what I'm meant to do. This summer, I was a fellow at Equality California, and worked at California Rural Legal Assistance in their LGBTQ+ program. I will miss MJC so much, but I will always be a proud MJC Pirate!

- Zola Hayes