Congratulations to Sidney Esparza, a wildland resources and forestry major who is accomplishing incredible things!

Sidney's connection to Citrus College began in 2016 when she visited the campus on a field trip with her high school theater class. At the time, Sidney wanted to study theater and was impressed with the student performance she watched.

A few years later, Sidney decided that she wanted to attend college and study biology and forestry. The switch from theater to science wasn't too far of a stretch, since Sidney enjoyed watching nature shows like "The Crocodile Hunter," "Zoboomafoo" and "The Most Extreme" as a kid.

"I suppose you could say that this was something that was destined for me," she said. "'Jurassic Park' was my all-time favorite movie as a kid, and I wanted to know how I could do something like that."

Since becoming an Owl, Sidney has stayed busy completing several internships and getting involved in several on-campus programs, including TRIO STEM and Pathways to STEM, all while maintaining a 3.93 GPA. Additionally, Sidney recently applied to take part in the college's Summer Research Experience program.

"Many, if not most, of my professors have inspired me in their own little way with the passion in which they teach their subject and their own personal academic journeys," Sidney said. "They remind me that great journeys are seldom traveled in a linear trajectory, but can send us down interesting paths we might have never considered."

Sidney, whose dream is to be a park ranger, said some of the best advice she has received has been to attend office hours, keep a calendar, maintain friendships and get enough sleep. Looking back, she's glad she made the decision to attend college.

"When I started at Citrus College as a full-time student, I honestly didn't think I was cut out for college," she said. "However, I now wonder where I'd be in life if I hadn't given myself the opportunity to find out what I was capable of."