Amanda Jimenez

Crocker

10/9/12

Essay # 2

            During the fall of 2011, at Oxnard College, the student enrollment number was about 7,440. Within that number, the average age of students attending Oxnard College was 26.9. This average was concluded after the making of the student age chart. In this chart it revealed that students whom are 18 years old or younger have the lowest percentage out of all the different age groups (Fast Facts). After reading these statistics, I decided to interview Luke, Melissa, and Daniel. These three people are all 18 years old, attend Oxnard College, and are part of the low percentile age group.

            Luke Saucedo can be described in three words: explosive, thoughtful, and eccentric. He began his journey in life, in San Diego, California. There, he often spent his days at the beach. Luke was a very constructive kid, and would often dig large holes in the sand. To entertain himself, he would invite his friends to climb into his deep sand holes and bury them neck deep. As time passed, Luke began to show interest in music. This is what drove Luke to become involved in his friend’s girlfriend’s band. However, unfortunately they did not make it far in the music industry, but this did not affect Luke’s love for music. A few years later, Luke moved to Oxnard, California and attended Rio Mesa High School. At Rio Mesa High School, Luke joined a fishing club. He was very fascinated by the whole aspect of fishing, and enjoyed it very much so. Therefore, it wasn’t surprising that he soon became the president of the fishing club. Luke graduated high school in June of 2012.

Now, he is attending Oxnard College, and keeping his future in mind. When Luke isn’t at school, or with family, he is having a blast at his favorite theme park. Luke likes to spend his free time at six flags. He often travels to six flags using his seasonal pass, several times out of the week. Comparing six flags to Oxnard College, I asked Luke what he enjoys most about the school. His response was, “I can buy a pie here for $3.00.” His love for pie keeps him content, and is something to look forward to. Then I asked “Are there areas in the college which can be improved?” He said, “It would be nice to have some kind of recreation center, where students can hang out.” Luke feels it could be a beneficial way for students to connect with each other. Luke’s motivation to attend college comes from looking ahead, “It just seems like the next step. I am unsure about what I want to do, but I know I need a college education to provide for myself in the future.” I then asked Luke if his culture had anything to do with his decision to attend college, and his answer was, “None at all.” This was a little surprising to me, and yet also intriguing. The philosophy or “motto” Luke has for succeeding in school is “Don’t worry about it, whatever is going to happen will happen.” Luke is taking five classes, Monday through Thursday, which is a total of sixteen units. During this time, Luke has been surprised with the cost of books for all his classes. He does not have any role models, and believes to be a role model for his brother about “what not to do.” However, Luke continues to push forward, and sees himself still in school within the next five years moving closer to his goals.

            Next, Melissa is a female student at Oxnard College. Melissa spends most of her time with her family. She has a twin sister and an older sister, and lives with her mom and dad, and they are all very supportive of her education. Melissa’s motivation to further her education is the thought of, “money and my future,” she says. Melissa has a very hectic and time consuming schedule. However, Melissa finds a way to balance family and school through organization, and finishing her schoolwork as fast as possible. Melissa’s role model in her life is her cousin. Her cousin is attending CSUN with a child she is raising on her own. Melissa explains her cousin was always studious throughout her high school career. This landed her cousin a scholarship to UCLA. However, during her first year at the university she became pregnant, and was then forced to drop out of school due to the work load, and new born baby. Her cousin attended community college a year later, and eventually transferred to CSUN. This is Melissa’s inspiration to keep going. “If my cousin can attend college and raise a kid, then I can definitely continue and finish my college education.” Melissa describes herself as hard working, blunt, and focused, yet she does not consider herself a role model for anyone. Melissa’s culture influences her by, “the way I can see how education affects their lifestyle. “I either see success or struggle.” Her “motto” or philosophy for succeeding in school is “what you work for today will pay off tomorrow.” This philosophy will hopefully get her to where she sees herself in five years. She hopes to be independent and still in pursuit of her education.

            Furthermore, Daniel is the first born child within a family of five. He has two younger brothers whom are ten and thirteen years apart from his age. Daniel works as a tutor for his high school avid teacher Monday through Friday and attends classes Monday through Thursday. He spontaneously finds a way to balance school, family, and work. Daniel is very observant and determined young man. This is why Daniel’s motivation to attend college comes from observing other’s successes, or failures in life. Daniel has grown up researching colleges and preparing himself mentally and academically for his ideal job in the future. This early preparation is a result of his parents’ influence on his decision to attend college no matter what he plans to do in life. Daniel’s parents have had a large impact in his life, and even though Daniel does not have a specific role model, he says “watching other people get through their education with their own individual struggles inspires me.” Daniel is referring to his family, as he compares the people who have attended college, and the people who have not. Moreover, along with his mom and dad, he says he is a role model for his brothers. They seem to always follow what he does, and constantly look up to him. So Daniel’s goal is to set a good example and encourage them to work hard for what they want. His “motto” to succeed in school is to “picture how the person you want to become would do the job that you want to do.” In five years, Daniel hopes to have a Masters Degree in the field he eventually chooses to pursue. Daniel describes himself as witty, determined and inquisitive. These are traits that will hopefully take him to a bright future.

            Finally, Luke, Melissa, and Daniel are well on their way to an ideal job and comfortable living. It seems more and more families are realizing how important education is. They have either learned from experience, or have watched other’s struggle in life from lack of higher education. This is why they are promoting a college education to their children when they are young, up until they graduate high school. There is now more support and encouragement throughout families regardless of culture. So even though 18 year olds are part of the lowest age group on campus, as they get older, there is more hope that they will continue.

 

 

 

 

Works Cited

“Fast Facts.” Oxnard College. Ventura County Community College District, n.d. Web. 25 Sept 2012.