In many ways, Citlalli Solorio speaks for a class of graduates who earned most of their credits via remote learning due to the COVID-19 crisis.<\/p>\n
SAN MARCOS \u2014 When Citlalli Solorio\u2019s name is announced as the Class of 2022 Valedictorian at Palomar College\u2019s commencement ceremony on May 27, among those listening will be her father, Antonio Solorio.<\/p>\n
\u201cI come from an immigrant family, and my dad didn\u2019t speak the language or have a high school diploma,\u201d Solorio recalled. \u201cBut he took English classes after work at community college\u2014I remember him coming home very late after class. He wanted to give us a better future and a better life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Solorio\u2019s father eventually enrolled in trade school, learned how to weld, and became one of the top welders at his company in San Diego: \u201cThat just makes me think,\u201d she said, \u201cif someone coming into this country with no opportunities, who doesn\u2019t know the language, could accomplish something so big\u2014I will take the opportunity to get a higher education.\u201d<\/p>\n
The path hasn\u2019t been easy for Solorio\u2014or any of the estimated 400 graduates who will gather on campus for this year\u2019s commencement exercises.<\/p>\n
After one normal semester\u2014the fall of 2019\u2014COVID-19 arrived with a variety of health and safety measures not seen in generations, including a campus-wide transition to remote learning in March 2020. The pandemic also cost her a job on campus in the Student Life & Leadership Office.<\/p>\n
Even though she felt herself losing momentum as a result, Solorio said, \u201cWhat kept me going was my family\u2014they were always supportive. They helped me make the most of it, and I picked up a lot of summer classes to make up some time. I came to see it as an opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n
In particular, Solorio\u2019s older sister, Natalie, helped her along, having led the way to Palomar after high school and urged Citlalli to enroll in 2019.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was my main motivator, and my example to follow\u2014she helped me through the financial aid process, she gave me a tour of the campus,\u201d Citlalli recalled. \u201cShe and I are first-generation college students, and having someone as close as your sister being your guide\u2014it was a lot of help.\u201d<\/p>\n
Through five semesters, Solorio maintained a 4.0 grade-point average, and has earned an associate degree in Business Administration and one in University Studies with an emphasis in math and science.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis college has changed my vision of higher education,\u201d she said. \u201cI never felt alone during this tough journey as a first-generation college student.\u201d<\/p>\n
She ultimately aims to become a financial analyst for a large company, and is studying Finance at Cal State San Marcos.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"