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Jacqueline's story . . . in her own words
March 1, 2010
"Growing up, I had no perception of what stability was.
Ever since I can remember, my family and I kept moving from California to Costa Rica, not knowing where we wanted to be or where we fit in.
Along with this, my identity was constantly changing. I was considered an American girl when I was in Costa Rica and a Latina when I was in the U.S.
One day I learned my parents were splitting up, and my mother decided we would go back to California. I remember saying goodbye to my father at the airport and being so happy that I would see my California friends again. I was oblivious to the fact that my dad was not going with us.
As time went on, I learned the reason for my family falling apart was money. Money we talked about and fought over. Money we didn't have. We were now a family of four children with a single mother, receiving welfare because my mom's job was not enough to make ends meet.
I was fighting against statistics, like the ones from my high school. My incoming freshman class had 1,200 students. By the time we were seniors, this number dropped to 800. Only 600 graduated with me.
I was never sure I would go to college. My parents didn't go; neither did my two eldest siblings. But, I decided to apply with the support of my family and advisor in high school who encouraged me to apply to Saint Ben's.
When I came to visit this school, I fell in love with it. Although I was a city girl, there was something about Saint Ben's that simply felt right. I loved how people received me and treated me like I was really welcome and wanted here. I liked that it wasn't just an institution but also a community that practices Benedictine values, which I think is one of the best things about Saint Ben's.
Being here has allowed me to grow in many ways. Saint Ben's has taught me to be a strong woman and a strong leader."