Blog
Graduate Spotlight: Evangelina Quiroga Creates Opportunity Through Education
After graduating from high school in El Paso, Evangelina made a big move to Odessa. She chose to spend her first year working full-time, giving herself the chance to adjust to a new city and a new rhythm of life. When she felt ready, she started her college journey, enrolling in a full course load at Odessa College while continuing to work. She already knew exactly what she wanted for her future. Since the age of 10, Evangelina had dreamed of a career in social work. She had seen social workers help families move toward stability, and she felt called to make the same kind of difference.
Graduate Spotlight: Luis Sigala Commits to Growth and Achievement
For most of his teenage years, Luis Sigala believed school wasn’t meant for him. Growing up in Pecos, he was certain he would work in the oilfield just like his father, so halfway through his senior year of high school, he dropped out and went straight to work as a roustabout. His father hadn’t graduated high school either, and as Luis stepped into the same company, he figured a diploma wasn’t necessary for the future he envisioned.
Graduate Spotlight: Dalia Mendoza-Salgado Achieves Her Dreams Through Perseverance
For as long as she can remember, Dalia Mendoza-Salgado has carried two things with her: the scars from a childhood tragedy and the determination to turn that pain into purpose. Today, she stands proudly as a first-generation college graduate, completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Odessa College—just one year after giving birth to her first child.
Graduate Spotlight: Yaribel Garcia Builds a Brighter Future Through Education
Her journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been marked by determination, grit, and hope. “I’ve learned that sometimes the unknown has more to offer than the comfort of what we leave behind,” Yaribel reflected. “This degree is just the beginning.”
Graduate Spotlight: Maggie and Georgia Comstock Achieve Success Together
For sisters Maggie and Georgia Comstock, graduation this year is more than a ceremony — it's the celebration of a shared dream realized through very different paths. Both are completing the Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) program and preparing to enter the next chapter of their careers in healthcare, fueled by personal experiences, hard work, and a deep desire to care for others.