My City July 2022

MYCOMMUNITY

I t has long been my goal to dispel the myth that the outcomes of adverse early childhood experi ences are absolute. It has been said that a smooth sea has never made a good sailor. I grew up in a household littered with trauma and statistically would be at risk for low educational attainment. Looking back at my experience, I am proud of the path I have taken to break the chain of poverty that has limited my family for generations. As a rst-generation high school graduate and the rst in my family to attend school on a postsecondary level, I feel a great deal of responsibility to meet my academic and career goals. I eagerly look toward the future because I am not done learning or growing. My academic goals include a Master of Arts in Inclusive Education. As an educator and advocate for young children, I think that there is great value in broadening my knowledge on this topic. Over the last ten years, we have seen a societal shift in how we work with children, families and the community.is progress cannot be slowed. Promoting an inclusive environment in the early years of a child’s life will teach those children to respect others, regardless of di erences. I rmly believe in the power and privilege of a high-quality education. My degree from the University of Michigan-Flint will propel my career forward and a ord me new opportunities in my eld of study. B efore attending the University of Michigan-Flint, Flint was just an area that I passed on the freeway to go up north.e only things I knew about the city were statements told to me by people who have never lived here. Re†ecting on my time here at UM-Flint, my perceptions of this city and who I have become have changed. A university should help someone grow intellectually, but UM-Flint has constantly pushed me out of my comfort zone, guiding me through these past 18 months, and it has molded me into the best version of myself. Because of this School of Nursing, I see myself, my future and the world di erently. Entering the eld of nursing during a time of high mortality rates due to COVID originally made me feel anxious. I felt that I may not be emotionally strong enough to endure being surrounded by sadness, and I was not sure of how I would react to seeing death and mourning families. My clinical opportunities have taught me to recognize my own emotions, and in doing so I have become more empathetic and improved my ability to care for myself and families who have lost their loved ones. G enesee County and its surrounding areas have experienced an incredible struggle over the last three decades, culminating in an unmatched resilience that manifests strongly in the identity of the University, its community and local population. is resilience translates in an unexpected manner to many, as it does not encompass mistrust or apprehension to new ideas and e orts but widely embraces the people still willing to give the populace their e ort. I strongly believe that the conditions brought about by the challenges in this region are the paramount reasons why it is such a great place to foster future innovators, leaders, performers and entrepreneurs. I am privileged to have been able to be part of this community and system which has provided me with so much. 

Chrissandra Padilla Bachelor of Science, Early Childhood Education Holly, MI

Jessica Carrasco Bachelor of Science, Nursing South Lyon, MI

Garrett Prince Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance & Accounting Ortonville, MI

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