\u201cPalomar made it possible for me to explore new subjects and find my true passion.\u201d<\/p>\n
SAN MARCOS \u2014 Growing up in a conservative immigrant family, Jennifer Corona was not encouraged to think about her higher education, let alone leave the house and go off to college.<\/p>\n
So she arrived at Palomar in 2018 without a plan, but brought with her a determination to become the first person in her family to earn a college degree.<\/p>\n
\u201cPalomar has given me the experience and shown me that I can succeed and thrive in college level courses,\u201d said Corona, now 20 years old. \u201cBeing chosen as Valedictorian has made me realize that I have come a long way from where I started\u2014that I am capable of overcoming difficulties if I believe in myself and set my mind to it.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a young English language learner, Corona alternated between English- and Spanish-language classes in elementary school, which contributed to her being held back and then targeted by bullies. In high school, she was told she \u201cwould not get far in life due to my skill and learning abilities,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo the main challenge that I had to overcome was dealing with my self-doubt,\u201d said Corona. \u201cAt Palomar, I was able to work on myself and push myself to do the best that I could. Being able to succeed here has given me confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n
Corona will receive special recognition for her stellar academic achievements during Palomar\u2019s virtual commencement ceremony, scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2020. The ceremony is being produced by PCTV, Palomar\u2019s multiple-Emmy Award-winning television production team.<\/p>\n
This fall, Corona will begin the next stage in her higher education journey when she attends Cal State Fullerton to pursue her B.A. and M.A. in sociology.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m interested in working with students\u2014trying to counsel them and lead them in better directions in life. But I\u2019ve also been interested in the criminal justice system,\u201d she said, adding that it was through her classes at Palomar that she discovered her passion for sociology.<\/p>\n
Corona said she found out that she had been named Valedictorian during the last week of school: \u201cI was in the middle of one of my finals\u2014I was typing and got a phone call,\u201d she recalled. \u201cNever in a million year would I think that I could become Valedictorian, so this is a reminder that I can do it, regardless of what other people say. I want to be a positive light for my family and my community.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"