Achiever Stories

What SSS has Done for Me.
by Wendy Sanchez

I learned about the Student Support Services Program (TRIO) through a flyer posted at Santa Ana College. The flyer stated it helped students in their program achieve success with their math and English through free tutoring.   It also offered computer and technology services. It sounded like a good program that would help me achieve my academic goals.   I applied to the TRIO Student Support Services Program in the fall of 2002.   The staff has always been very friendly helpful, and welcoming.   I have now been in the program for almost three years and have maintained a 4.00 GPA.   I love being in the SSS program because they help me stay focused in accomplishing my goals, keeping high grades through tutoring, and counseling, assistance in applying for scholarships, and through many other services.

The program selected me to attend the WESTOP Professional Development Seminar in Palm Springs this past November.   The leadership skills I learned at the conference and the exposure to a new experience helped me realize my professional goal, to become a counselor.   I was also selected to attend the 15 th Annual Student Leadership Conference and there I was awarded the WESTOP Southern California Chapter Scholarship.   The conference was about finding the extreme leader in you.   It made me realize that I have to become an extreme leader in order to successfully serve my community and the people I will help in the future.  

The program helps students succeed in school and I am a perfect example.   If I had not been in the program, I wouldn't have done as well in school.   The SSSP has always been there when I needed help.   With the program's help I plan to transfer to UC Berkeley in the fall of 2005.   I plan to become a Counselor for high school or college students.   My goal is to encourage students to pursue a higher education and the TRIO Student Support Services Programs helps students do just that.  ~~~

Read about other achievers Hazel Amina, Sunshine Lawson, Jennifer Dyke, Laura Ochoa, and Michael Christiansen.

If you have a story about a participant or staff achiever, send it to Dave Ferguson. The person does not have to be nominated for the WESTOP Achievers Award. He or she is a person, in your eyes, whose story is inspirational. Afterall, if we don't tell the stories of our participants and staff, who will?

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