Against the Odds: A Journey to Graduation

In 2017, I graduated from Sanger High School and got accepted to numerous colleges but was worried about finances. So, I decided to go to Reedley College instead, where I played basketball for a season and got offered the chance to play again out of state. But when it came to my transcripts, I failed miserably.

My failures overwhelmed me with shame and doubt. So what did I do?

I went straight to the workplace. I worked as a cashier; I worked at a brokerage company; I worked as a scale and weighmaster for Blue Diamond; I worked as an administrative assistant at a medical waste facility (during the Covid-19 pandemic); and I worked as a medical assistant for an amazing neurologist office in Fresno where I got to be a part of minor surgeries and give shots and do cool things like dealing with insurance companies. I even started the pathway plan to being a nurse. Somewhere in that timeframe I married my high school sweetheart and had Joshy who was born prematurely during Covid—but that’s a story for another day.

I remember coming home from work and telling my husband that I was being called to ministry, and he encouraged me to get my education. I applied to every school for a dual degree in music and ministry, and got rejected. A lot. With the exception of Fresno Pacific and one other school.

I came back yet again for another tour and prayed that God would let me know if coming here was a possibility. On my tour, I couldn’t help but notice a sign that said in all caps, “WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.”

Fresno Pacific University allowed me to come on a probationary basis, meaning if I didn’t have good grades, I would not be a student. I met with the former choir director and one of my favorite professors, Dr. Wilson, who allowed me to audition for a music scholarship. I’m grateful for the potential he saw in me which led to me receiving the award.

In my first semester, I received A’s in all my classes. I was in three choirs and met a lot of cool people like my good friends Jill and Jordana. Somewhere in my sophomore year, I was honored with the privilege of working as a student chaplain in OSF (Office of Spiritual Formation) where I was able to plan worship events on and off campus, work with local churches and participate in the freshman and leadership retreats at Hume Lake. In this role, I am grateful to have been a part of the Chapel worship team which also allowed me to lead in Capax Dei.

I’ve had the honor and privilege of pouring into some great young women and men, and I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to serve as a mentor. I loved the community of believers who prayed for me and encouraged me during harsh seasons of doubt that this degree was even possible. Thank you to my supervisors Brian Davis, Taylor Kabasu and Rici Bell who helped me in my healing journey and showed me what it means to walk boldly and with confidence of who God has called me to be.

Now in 2026, I will be walking the stage, graduating with my bachelor’s degree in music and a minor in Christian ministry and leadership.

I would like to share some data from the American Sociological Association (2024). This research project was conducted with statistics from 8.2 million people.

• Only 11% of low-income students earn a bachelor’s degree.
• Only 12–28% of students from single-parent households earn a bachelor’s degree.
• Only 24% of first-generation students earn a bachelor’s degree.
• Only 13–25% of students who have an incarcerated father earn a bachelor’s degree.
• Only 34% of college dropouts return to school and graduate with a bachelor’s degree.
• Only 1–4% of mothers complete a bachelor’s degree after having a child.
• And finally, only 7% of Hispanic/Latino students earn a music degree.

You see, I’m not that great with numbers, but these statistics might suggest that the probabilities of my own success are pretty low. But when God calls you, when God directs your steps, when God says you have a purpose, when God says He has a plan of hope and a future—plans to benefit you and not harm you—and He declares it, it must be true.

I might not be great with numbers, but when I look at the probability of God leaving the 99 for the one, the opportunity for success is unlimited. Because with man, it is impossible—but with the living, breathing and resurrected Jesus, it is possible.

I’m not saying that it will be easy, because it’s not. It’s hard. And there’s a lot of sacrifice from yourself and those around you. It will cost you your comfort, time, money, effort and require that you work hard. God will give you strength, carry you through and see you to its completion. For with God, it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.

It is the journey that molds you and shapes you to be the person that God has called you to be. You don’t have to feel like you are in a rush, even though that is what is pushed on us all the time. There’s no right or wrong way to pursue your education.

I am going to graduate with my bachelor’s degree at 27 years young, and I praise God for the journey that has led up to this moment. Every failure and every mistake has shaped me to be better. And trust me when I say I have failed more times than I have succeeded. And that is okay because I have learned from every one of those encounters that God is not finished with me yet. And He is NOT finished with you either. How exciting is that? You are not done yet, and all the possibilities for you are endless.

My encouragement for all of you is that no matter your age—no matter the unfavorable statistics that you may fall under—keep Jesus at the center of your life and remember that with man, it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible!

Destiny originally shared the above at FPU Chapel on April 29, 2026.