Name: Greer Waiolama
Semester/Year Started at WCC: Summer 1999
Semester/Year Started in TRiO SSS: Summer 1999
Degree(s) Earned at WCC or 4yr. college/university:
Associates in Liberal Arts
Semester(s)/Year(s) Graduated: Fall 2012
How has TRiO SSS
helped you/what services have you used? I used all of their many services:
computer use for (studying, researching, math courses, and printing), tutoring
(math, English, and micro), counseling (when I’m crying and can’t take it
anymore), registering classes, community service hours, lunch, fresh produce,
snacks, borrowed books, summer school tuitions, Blood Bank drive, workshops and
more that I can’t remember.
Personal Statement: I’m
45, but I was 32 when I started attending WCC back in the summer of 1999. It’s
been 13 years, but I have finally earned my AA last fall 2012. I started out
taking one or two classes here and there and even stopped to work and have
another child along the way. It’s been an absolute struggle to get where I’m at
today, and there were many of times, I felt I wasn’t going anywhere and wanted
to quit—especially after repeating Math 25 (four times) and English 22 (five
times).
It wasn’t till the fall of 2009 that I was finally diagnosed
with ADHD. Which explained the level of
difficulty I was experiencing on campus and in life general. But through it
all, TRiO SSS was always there for me. I know for a fact that if it weren’t for
the staff and their dedication and genuine concern to be with me all the way—I
wouldn’t have had the resources or support to graduate. I wouldn’t have been
able to afford the printing and countless hours of tutoring in order to keep
up—they empowered me—they empower us all—who work hard and believe in the
importance of higher education.
Today, after three semesters at UH-Manoa, I have finally
discovered my calling and decided to become a Special Education elementary
teacher. I didn’t have the confidence to do this about a month ago, yet it is
such a natural fit for me. My son’s in a fully self-contained SpEd classroom
and I admired his young and awesome teacher. She has totally inspired me and
encouraged me to give it a try—and so I did. I met with an advisor before
spring break and know exactly what prerequisites needed before entering the
dual SpEd/General elementary two-year program next fall. I’ll be returning to
WCC to take Math 111-Elementary Math for teachers as suggested by my Kamehameha
Schools’ financial aid counselor—and I’m hoping there will be a TRiO SSS to
help me yet again. I’ll need all the tutoring and support I can get.
Aloha and mahalo for taking the time to read my story. I
hope our statements will reaffirm the importance of keeping TRiO SSS—they do
make a difference and we need them!
I’m a single parent with 5 kids (2 are adults now 21 and 20).
My 20-year-old has taken two semesters at WCC so far.
I receive financial aid.
Neither of my parents went to college.
I have a disability and it is ADHD and a learning disability
that affects my reading, writing, and math skills.
No comments:
Post a Comment