My Citrus Story- Lahaina Joy Abuan
As if they are now and later they shall be.
Philosophers and scientists have noted that not everything is as it appears. So it is with me. While most folks who have known me would naturally assume from my smile and generally sunny disposition that everything was fine, my parents’ divorce changed all that. I had just started attending Citrus, and all of a sudden I was scrambling to protect my younger brother, work as many hours as I could to help pay the mortgage and other bills, and somehow keep up with my full-time studies.
That’s when my family at Citrus stepped in. Professors and staff members rallied around to help me. Through their encouragement, I rose above the haze that clouded my thinking. I still remember the moment my supervisor, Lari Kirby, told me “God only gives you what you can handle.” It was comforting, but I thought, “I wish he didn’t trust me so much.” However, Lari’s words inspired me to persevere.
I managed to graduate early with an A.A. in social and behavioral sciences, and along the way joined the Phi Theta Kappa and Psi Beta honors societies. Every new experience helped me learn new strategies for overcoming all the adversities I have encountered.
My Citrus experience has transformed me into an ambassador of hope, and there is a new confidence behind my smile. I am now attending Azusa Pacific University and will complete my bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology in 2011, with the goal of obtaining a master’s degree and becoming a forensic psychologist.
Thank you Citrus for helping me learn that I can handle anything that comes my way in life
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My Citrus Story is funded in part by grants supporting the College Success program, and has been developed in cooperation with the Citrus College Foundation and the Citrus College Board of Trustees. Copyright © 2010, Citrus College