2008 Woodie Awards
StudentSpeak
What do you have to say?
Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: Notions
I was an eighth grade dropout and just got my GED in June.
It took me a long time through marriage, divorce and kids to come back to school, but I didn't know how to study, I didn't know how to be around students or teachers and I was scared.
I came back and the school talked to us about getting involved, and that has truly helped me. I am a very shy person and had been stuck in my shell, and after hearing about getting involved, I decided to do just that.
I joined the Navigators, which is a Bible study club, and I have requested to join SUCCESS, which celebrates all cultures and cultural activities. I am thinking about joining the Student Government. I also started being more involved in my classes, and that has really helped me get the material; it helps me stay focused on what is being talked about.
Student activities and just getting involved in class have helped me meet other people and gain an understanding that I'm not the only one going through certain things. It's like a support group, almost.
Getting involved builds a foundation and helps you become more stable while you are going to school.
If you just come to class and you don't participate or get yourself verbally involved, then you are really missing out.
Vanessa Buckles
freshman psychology major
I've received financial aid ever since I started college, which was about two years ago, and it has always paid for all of my classes.
Something happened this year, however, and I got absolutely nothing. I wasn't eligible.
I have no way to pay for school because my parents and I are poor. I couldn't think of what else to do, so I went to the financial aid office in desperation and when Margaret, who is the counselor I usually go to, realized what happened, she did everything she could to get me the Texas Grant.
She was able to help, but it was still not enough. I didn't want to get a loan, but Margaret told me about my options and what the different types of loans were. I went home and talked to my parents about it, and we decided it was my best option.
Because of her help and guidance, I was able to find a way to pay for school. She was there with me through every step and never once just handed me something and expected me to know what it was or what to do with it.
She walked me through it all. She knew my story and why I was in the situation I was in. She knew what I needed and was able to help me figure out how to get it.
Then another storm came, and the loan check wasn't going to come in on time to pay for my classes; so again Margaret helped me and I was able to set up a payment plan with the school using my Texas Grant as the "down payment." I didn't have to pay a dime up front.
My experience with AC's financial aid office has been nothing short of fantastic and if not for them, and Margaret specifically, I wouldn't be in school right now.
Merari Castro
sophomore theatre major
STUDENTS SPEAK: We want to hear from you! Please send us your letters. We want to print your letter as well as go out and interview students to see what they have to say about all the issues. To send a letter to the editor or your own column, please e-mail us at ranger@actx.edu.
It took me a long time through marriage, divorce and kids to come back to school, but I didn't know how to study, I didn't know how to be around students or teachers and I was scared.
I came back and the school talked to us about getting involved, and that has truly helped me. I am a very shy person and had been stuck in my shell, and after hearing about getting involved, I decided to do just that.
I joined the Navigators, which is a Bible study club, and I have requested to join SUCCESS, which celebrates all cultures and cultural activities. I am thinking about joining the Student Government. I also started being more involved in my classes, and that has really helped me get the material; it helps me stay focused on what is being talked about.
Student activities and just getting involved in class have helped me meet other people and gain an understanding that I'm not the only one going through certain things. It's like a support group, almost.
Getting involved builds a foundation and helps you become more stable while you are going to school.
If you just come to class and you don't participate or get yourself verbally involved, then you are really missing out.
Vanessa Buckles
freshman psychology major
I've received financial aid ever since I started college, which was about two years ago, and it has always paid for all of my classes.
Something happened this year, however, and I got absolutely nothing. I wasn't eligible.
I have no way to pay for school because my parents and I are poor. I couldn't think of what else to do, so I went to the financial aid office in desperation and when Margaret, who is the counselor I usually go to, realized what happened, she did everything she could to get me the Texas Grant.
She was able to help, but it was still not enough. I didn't want to get a loan, but Margaret told me about my options and what the different types of loans were. I went home and talked to my parents about it, and we decided it was my best option.
Because of her help and guidance, I was able to find a way to pay for school. She was there with me through every step and never once just handed me something and expected me to know what it was or what to do with it.
She walked me through it all. She knew my story and why I was in the situation I was in. She knew what I needed and was able to help me figure out how to get it.
Then another storm came, and the loan check wasn't going to come in on time to pay for my classes; so again Margaret helped me and I was able to set up a payment plan with the school using my Texas Grant as the "down payment." I didn't have to pay a dime up front.
My experience with AC's financial aid office has been nothing short of fantastic and if not for them, and Margaret specifically, I wouldn't be in school right now.
Merari Castro
sophomore theatre major
STUDENTS SPEAK: We want to hear from you! Please send us your letters. We want to print your letter as well as go out and interview students to see what they have to say about all the issues. To send a letter to the editor or your own column, please e-mail us at ranger@actx.edu.
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