{"id":7417,"date":"2018-05-07T08:38:10","date_gmt":"2018-05-07T12:38:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.trinitydc.edu\/president\/?p=7417"},"modified":"2018-05-17T17:32:23","modified_gmt":"2018-05-17T21:32:23","slug":"voices-of-trinity-stories-of-triumph-and-courage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trinitydc.edu\/president\/2018\/05\/voices-of-trinity-stories-of-triumph-and-courage\/","title":{"rendered":"Voices of Trinity: Stories of Triumph and Courage"},"content":{"rendered":"

During the next several weeks leading up to Commencement, I will be featuring the stories of our outstanding students and graduates on this blog.\u00a0 Below are the stories of Trinity graduates in the Class of 2018 in their own words.\u00a0 I will keep adding stories as the days go by so if you are graduating and have a story to share, please send it to me on email president@trinitydc.edu<\/a> or you can add your story in the comment section below.<\/em><\/p>\n

Brenda Alonso,\u00a0 B.A. Business Administration, International Affairs (CAS), Phi Beta Kappa<\/h2><\/span>\n

\"Brenda<\/a>Hard work and dedication run in my veins, I am the living product of the struggle of my ancestors. My hard work has earned me the privilege to be a 2018 Phi Beta Kappa inductee. My four years of dedication and sacrifice as starter for the Trinity Washington University soccer team has earned me the title of the 2018 MVP for Trinity\u2019s soccer team. The highest recognition that the department of Trinity Athletics gives to one athlete every year was also awarded to me, Trinity\u2019s Director\u2019s Award. The opportunities that Trinity has to offer are priceless, but only if a student is determined enough to excel in them. The first day I stepped into the beautiful campus of Trinity Washington University (Friday, August 15th 2014), I knew that the sacrifices of my parents and ancestors had been worth it. Since that very day, I ran with the priceless blessing of education and never looked back.<\/span><\/p>\n

(Photo above: with Brenda Alonso at Phi Beta Kappa induction)<\/p>\n

Who would have thought that a female immigrant from Mexico would have accomplished so much? In the eyes of many, I was supposed to be something they could look down upon. It still comes as a shock to many that I have found my voice when I wasn\u2019t supposed to have one. Then there are those who have always inspired me to strive for greatness. My mother and father, the friends that have become family, the founders of the Dream.US, the inspirational men and women at Trinity, and every single soul that has treated me with true equality. To everyone who has helped me become the strong woman I am today, I owe all my accomplishments to. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Brenda<\/a>Trinity changed my life. After four years at such an empowering institution I have developed into a very complete woman. The opportunities to intern for the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) have inspired me to dedicate my life to for a higher purpose, Social Justice. The opportunity to be captain of the soccer team for three years and represent Trinity at the NCAA careers in sports forum in Indianapolis, Indiana in 2017 has inspired me to use my passion for soccer as a tool to inspire other young women in sports to reach their dreams. The awards I have been recognized with at Trinity have reminded me that good deeds are both noticed and needed. Finally, the feeling of pride to say that I will be a graduating from Trinity Washington University on May 19th, 2018 with a double major in Business and International Affairs has proved to me that the result of integrity and dedication is success. <\/span><\/p>\n

My name is Brenda Alonso and I will forever be grateful to God for putting me in the path that lead to Trinity Washington University. Forever and Ever, Go Tigers!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Kevin A. Bouknight, B.A. Human Relations (SPS)<\/h2><\/span>\n

\"Kevin<\/a>August of 2012 began my career at Trinity Washington University.\u00a0 I never thought it would take seven years of time, blood, sweat, and tears, but it has been a very fulfilling journey.\u00a0 I was excited as any teenager, yet I was old enough to have teenage children.\u00a0 While I have been at Trinity, they have grown up and have graduated from college themselves.\u00a0 Their dad is the one lagging behind.<\/p>\n

I spent many nights wondering what in the world I was doing.\u00a0 I thought I was too old for this.\u00a0 Some of my classes didn\u2019t make sense, certainly not for someone who has seen half a century.\u00a0 I remember taking Adolescent Psychology and I asked the professor, \u201cWhat do you think you can teach me?\u00a0 I\u2019ve already raised two teens, a boy and a girl.\u201d\u00a0 I will admit I was a bit disrespectful when I asked that, but by the end of the course, my classmates would ask me rather than the instructor.\u00a0 Even he asked me some things.\u00a0 What I learned is that experience can trump a textbook.<\/p>\n

Now that I am a senior, I look back to my accomplishments.\u00a0 I have been featured on President McGuire\u2019s blog.\u00a0 I have been published in The Record<\/em> twice.\u00a0 I have been a student ambassador.\u00a0 I sang in the Gospel Choir.\u00a0 I reconnected with another student that I had gone to elementary school with.\u00a0 We\u2019ve known each other longer than just about any CAS student has been living!\u00a0 Above all, I have made friends who will be my friends for the rest of my life.\u00a0 I will never regret my choosing Trinity Washington University.<\/p>\n

Aminata Diarra, B.S. Accounting (SPS)<\/h2><\/span>\n

\"mother<\/a>\u201cA dream you dream alone, is not a dream. A dream you dream together is a reality.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Five years ago (2013), while I was stopped at the bus stop of Trinity Washington University, waiting for my bus to come, I saw collegians leaving this beautiful building. I dreamed to see myself in this school, but at the same time was asking myself \u201cHow can I go to … a school like this, as an immigrant?\u201d But no matter where you are from, your dreams are valid.\u00a0 I was given an opportunity to attend this school one year later, without knowing that it\u2019s the same school that I had dreamed about. Since then, I have started to handle three full time jobs, school full-time, work full time and my 8 years old son as a single mom. I have been told me by some of friends, \u201cYou cannot,” but I said \u201cYes I can.” … You can do anything you set your mind to!!! The mere existence of an idea, desire and passion is proof that you are meant to push through and do everything in your power to bring them to fruition.\u00a0 Today I am so proud, no only about myself but about all those who helped to get through here. I didn\u2019t commit it without you! Planning to pursue education through my CPA.\u00a0 Thank you, Allah. Thank you my Parents. THANK YOU LIFT-DC. Thank you my son, I won\u2019t be able to make it without you, Mohamed.<\/p>\n

Sadhana Singh, B.A.\u00a0 Communication (CAS), Phi Beta Kappa<\/h2><\/span>\n

Watch this video of a TED talk that Sadhana gave in March about her journey:<\/p>\n