STC alum hopes to grow community through long-term service
STC DEMSA graduate Veronica Fernandez earned more than $45,000 in scholarships to help her continue her studies.
STC DEMSA graduate Veronica Fernandez earned more than $45,000 in scholarships to help her continue her studies.
In May 2009, I reached a huge milestone when I graduated from South Texas College with an associate’s degree in biology weeks before receiving my diploma from Rio Grande City High School. I was fortunate to have had the rare opportunity to be in STC’s Dual Enrollment Medical Science Academy (DEMSA), which allowed me to take college level courses while still in high school.
Even though it was a lot of work maintaining a 4.0 GPA while juggling volunteer work and many other obligations, the challenges were worth the rewards. My grades and extracurricular activities earned me more than $45,000 in scholarships. And this fall I will begin my first semester at Texas A&M University in Kingsville as a junior.
Yes, that’s right! I got two years of college out of the way and now I’m ready for the next chapter in life, which is to become a doctor. Now, I can’t wait to begin classes at the university, where I’m sure my learning experience will define what type of doctor I will become.
As a child I often visited pediatricians, orthopedists, dermatologists and general doctors for treatment, which fueled my desire to become a physician. Everything in the doctor offices, from the nurses who checked me in, to the stethoscopes, interested me. With each visit, not only did my height measurement increase, but so did my love of medicine.
In the mean time I am not waiting to become a doctor to give back to my community. I currently volunteer my time at various organizations and I really enjoy the feeling you get after helping someone - it’s like no other. I have been blessed with so many good things in life and I have an obligation to help those who have not been as fortunate.
Throughout my 18 years, I have witnessed how difficult life can be without proper education. My family has reinforced in me that earning a college degree is not an option, but a necessity for success and freedom.
And if our sole purpose in life is to assist others, how do you give back to a community in need without skills? A college degree will allow you to give back and so much more, from economic freedom, to the chance to live anywhere and do anything you choose.
Therefore, I am looking forward to helping my community as a physician. Nothing would make me happier than to care for the people that witnessed my growth and inspire others to follow the same path.
Who instilled the value of an education in me? My parents have always stressed the value of an education. They are always reminding me how hard life is without a degree; that both financial and personal struggles occur more often when you don’t allow yourself to reach your full potential.