“I’m a caterpillar, and I needed to be a butterfly.”
Meet Linda Schanen, a determined Â鶹´«Ã½ College student from our Pleasanton site who is living proof that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. At 58, Linda is working toward her Business Management certificate and recently submitted a powerful essay for a student contest, sharing her personal journey and the inspiration behind her return to college.
In honor of #CommunityCollegeMonth, Linda wants others to know that taking that first step is possible—with courage, support, and a little encouragement. For her, that moment came when she was greeted with a warm smile from CBC Administrative Assistant Melisa Herod.
“That was the day I walked in,” Linda writes, “and at that instant I knew this was where I needed to be.”
With three semesters completed and her eyes on graduation, Linda’s story is a reminder that Success Starts Here—at any age, and on your own terms. Here is her story:
Never Give Up On Your Goals and Dreams
Written by Linda Schanen, Â鶹´«Ã½ College
Student Essay Contest: Never give up your Goals and Dreams
First I want to thank the NISOD for inviting me to participate in the Scott Wright Student Essay Contest, I’m honored. My name is Linda Schanen and I am from Pleasanton Texas and I am currently enrolled at the Coast Bend College here and will receive my certificate in Business Management for my Associates Degree. This is a privilege for me to be able to attend this student- centered community college at this time in my life. I am 58 years old with a G.E.D education and past goals and dreams of a young girl that seemed impossible to achieve at this age. Today I can honestly say that I would not be here if not for my determination and authenticity of learning and the motto of this school, that “Success Happens Here”. Let me go back a little, all my life I was told things that put fear in my soul like not amounting to nothing and that I was not smart enough, this was something that stayed in my mind and heart for years and one day actually in 2023 I said to myself Linda stop being afraid of the unknown, you can do this, because education and learning was instilled in me, the explanation would be (That I’m a caterpillar and I needed to be a butterfly.) Let me tell you the day my feet got to the front door of this college, which I call a part of my home know, I felt like my knees were going to give out but then I saw Mrs. Herod one of the administrative assistants she gave me the most welcoming smile and all those years of fear were gone, funny how one person’s smile can do that, so that was the day I walked in and at that instant I knew this was where I needed to be. Mrs. Herod has encouraged me so much to keep going and to reach all my goals, she believes in me and this encouragement has taken me to three full semesters and the goal is to receive my Business Certificate. Mrs. Herod never complains when I need her help and believe me when I say I didn’t know much about computers, but with her help I learned and that is amazing to me, even my typing has tremendously improved. I can’t explain who much education means to me and the learning process. I’m excited because this opportunity means so much to me, just being a part of something and knowing that my success will be a mighty testimony to my children and grandchildren and even great grandchildren, that with determination, motivation, core values and God we can do anything. This College has been my safe haven, when I get here every morning, I feel empowered and ready to learn, this experience has opened my eyes to so many possibilities. Today I encourage everyone to strive for that goal and dream.