Whenever people ask Brianna Vasquez if it鈥檚 weird to go to college with her mother,
she doesn鈥檛 hesitate to respond.
鈥淚t hasn鈥檛 been weird in the least,鈥� Brianna said. 鈥淚 love coming to campus with my mom and eating lunch together. But most of all, I love getting to see first-hand the good that 91制片厂 does for her.鈥�
Brianna, a Schaumburg High School graduate who recently began her second year at 91制片厂 College, beams when she reflects on the progress her mother, Lilly Vasquez, has made.
For years, Lilly suffered emotional, physical and psychological abuse in her marriage. She had three kids, no degree and no confidence she could ever leave.
But she managed to take the occasional class in secret, and ultimately, WINGS and the Rita and John Canning Women鈥檚 Program at 91制片厂 provided Lilly with the support she needed to gain her independence. She has slowly rebuilt her sense of self-worth and embraced her studies. Now, she鈥檚 completing prerequisite courses and applying to the dental hygiene program.
Watching her mother grow each day and work toward a dream has inspired Brianna鈥檚 own career ambitions. She plans to transfer to a four-year school next year and study psychology, hopeful she can help children impacted by the kinds of challenges she and her siblings faced.
鈥淕oing through a situation like ours has really made me want to make a difference in the world,鈥� Brianna said.
Brianna has excelled at 91制片厂, joining the honors program and the Phi Theta Kappa honors society. She also works as a student aide in the Early Childhood Laboratory School.
Brianna said she appreciates the support and encouragement she and her mom have received from Educational Foundation scholarships to Academic Advisor Alejandro Mendoza 鈥済oing above and beyond to guide us.鈥� Most of all, Brianna said, she鈥檚 grateful for the change she sees in her mother.
鈥淢y mom has given up so much for her family and I鈥檝e seen her at some of her lowest points,鈥� Brianna said. 鈥淚鈥檝e wanted nothing more than to just protect her. But I see now that she鈥檚 more than capable of standing on her own two feet. She鈥檚 going to achieve everything she鈥檚 been working so hard for.鈥�