Grad-To-Be Will Give Back

Sat., Sept. 11, 1999

Mike Wells Special To Opini

My mom and I were talking recently about my upcoming December graduation from Central Washington University.

She asked me, “When is the ceremony?”

I said, “Next June, but I don’t plan to walk in the ceremony, because I’ll already be out of school six months.”

My mom urged me to still walk through in June. “I’ve been waiting for the day to see you in that cap and gown.”

So I told her that, no matter where I was living in June, I’d come back to Ellensburg and walk at the graduation ceremony.

It’s the least I can do for her. I will be the first person in my family to get a four-year college degree. My mom encouraged me the most. She always told me, “You will get further in life, and have a better chance of reaching your goals, with an education.” She was right.

I had a lot of help along the way in becoming a “first.” I went to a small high school in California. Counselors and teachers always talked to me about the importance of college. They told me I was a “people person” who could communicate with anyone, no matter their color, gender or whether they were rich or poor.

I told them I wanted to be a sports broadcaster and they said, “We can see you there one day.” Guess it’s no accident I’m a communications major and just finished a summer internship with The Associated Press in Spokane.

My senior year in high school, I had a daughter. I want the best for my little girl. Even though her mother and I aren’t together, I knew I couldn’t be making minimum wage and support my daughter in the way I always pictured.

If you are the “first” in your family to go to college, remember that there is no obstacle you can’t overcome. Get to know the people who can help you out the most. I’ve always been interested in the sports world. Before school even started my freshman year, I was in the door at the athletic department trying to get a job. I was hired to answer phones for the department and now I am one of the assistants to the sports information director.

It might be scary at first to go after a job that might not even be available, but later down the road, you’ll realize it was worth the risk.

I plan to pay back all those who helped me by doing little things to help others make their way up. I hope to always have my door open to people, the way others opened theirs for me.

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