I understand that our community college TRIO Programs are
being threatened by budget cuts. I am writing to appeal to you to help protect
this valuable, and much needed student services program.
Personally, as a non-traditional student, I would have had a
difficult if not near impossible time going back to school if it wasn't for
this program. As a disabled person and a
woman in her 40's, I never thought that going back to school and getting a
degree, as well as, learning valuable skills was possible until I met the
people at STAAR/TRIO in 1996. They
helped me succeed with the aid of tutors, pillows to make a chair higher for
me, changing classrooms because it had no wheelchair access, making bathrooms
more accessible for my wheelchair, and building much needed self- confidence
and self-esteem through encouragement and offering me a job as a tutor.
As a TRIO tutor since 2000, I was given a gift and an
opportunity to work, to help others, and to feel valuable and needed. Also as a
tutor, I know for a fact through my work with the many students we provide
services for that without TRIO we would have and will lose many people with
great potential who will not have the needed encouragement, tutoring, guidance,
and just having people who believe in them.
If you were to talk to many TRIO students you will learn how many would
have quit and not gone on to be nurses, teachers, geologists, artists,
journalists, politicians, and so much more.
I believe that because of this wonderful program, I was able
to persevere so I could graduate in 2010 with my A.A. in Liberal Arts, and
Academic Subject Certificates in Art and Business. I believe that without the support and
dedication of the people of TRIO, I would not have been able to attend UH-Manoa
where I am presently working towards a BFA in Digital Imaging. Their pushing me
on made it possible to leave my comfort zone and have the opportunities to be
named “Outstanding Student in Digital Imaging” and having my award winning
artwork being exhibited nationally and internationally. In other words they were there for me while I
was at WCC and they are still there for me as I move on in my endeavors and
life.
I continue to be a peer tutor for WCC’s TRIO program and am
blessed to have the opportunity to be there to help others as I was helped to
realize my dreams. Because of my experiences as a student and tutor in the TRIO
program, I plan to earn an MFA and use my skills as an artist and tutor to help
other disabled people to know that being disabled does not mean their life is
over and they can make their dreams come true too.
Yet my story is not unique, there have been many before me,
during me, and there will be more after me, all due the existence of TRIO.
Please protect this valuable and necessary program and the
futures of many of our people who without this program will lose hope and
either quit or not even try to better themselves by getting an education and
gaining the skills necessary to not only to succeed but to survive. Without Hawaii's natural and valuable resource,
her people, receiving an education and tools to become active and contributing
members of society, we all lose.
I would be more than happy to testify about my experiences
with this program.
Mahalo,
Mikki O'Phelan
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