A 厙ぴ勛圖 graduating senior pushed through her college closing and medical issues to earn her spot in line for the December commencement.
Shawnt矇 Ramirez, a psychology major from Lexington, said 厙ぴ勛圖 welcomed her when her original school closed.
���I loved the atmosphere, so I stayed for my degree,��� Ramirez said.
Ramirez said Dr. Tierra Freeman-Taylor, chair of the School of the Social and Behavioral Sciences, inspired her to finish her degree.
���She stood up for me and guided me the whole way through this journey we call college,��� Ramirez said. ���She has seen me through the good and the bad and even when I felt like I had no energy to keep going due to medical issues.���
Ramirez said her best advice to students still working toward their degree is to not give up.
���Utilize all of the help around you because, honestly, the professors here truly love what they do and want us to succeed,��� Ramirez said. ���At the same, keep communication open. They are not mind readers. They can and will not now know that you���re going through hard times if you don���t make them aware.���
Ramirez added that taking responsibility is another building block to success.
���The right road is long and it���s tough, but the results can last a lifetime,��� Ramirez said. ���The things truly worthwhile in life are never easy to achieve. That���s why not everyone has it. Stick with it and don���t give up. If I can achieve this, anyone can.���
Ramirez and other graduating seniors will cross the stage during commencement Dec. 13.
