Ms. Ramirez is excited to be graduating and is especially proud of herself because she has worked hard to raise her child and attend college. When talking about her Eastern experience she expressed being thankful for her professors because they are understanding.

“Everyone at Eastern is an adult, because there have been times when I needed to bring my child along with me to do presentations and the professor allowed it,” says Ms. Ramirez “Another told me that she could watch my child while I presented.”

Being a mother and attending college has been a challenge for Ms. Ramirez. However, it is one that she is very thankful for because being a mother before attending college made her grow up faster. She talked about how since being a mother she is not lazy and knows she has to get things done.

Ms. Ramirez has learned to manage her time wisely. She has to make sure to get all her school work done with time left over to dedicate to her son.

“I have to get him dressed, get him to school, plan ahead if he gets sick, if I get sick” says the busy mother.

(Alexander Gabriel Ramirez)

She is very grateful that ENMU is located so close to her home town of Clovis.

Ms. Ramirez feels that ENMU has worked with her in so many ways. That is why she is graduating on time.

“Eastern gave me a chance, and because of them I am going to graduate with my bachelor’s four years after my high school graduation, like everyone is supposed to,” said Ms. Ramirez

She hopes to attend graduate school in the fall.

“I’d like to thank Dr. Dobson; she has been such a great professor,” says the senior. “Always helping me, even now with graduate school.”

After graduate school she hopes to work in PR alongside a celebrity.

One of her biggest worries right now is that she still has not decided what to wear to graduation. She is hoping to go to Mexico to shop for her graduation outfit.

What she appreciated the most about her time at Eastern was the friendships she made along the way.

“The people in Eastern are genuine and real,” said the soon-to-be alum, “You know they really care about you and are friends.”

She attributes her motivation to stay in college to her friend Marissa who believed in her even when no one else did.

(R-L Katy Ross, Marissa Tijerina, Gabriela Ramirez, and Carla Ruiz)

“When (in high school) we weren’t even close friends, but she had faith in me,” says Ms. Ramirez. “She is one of the main reasons I am graduating.”

She is proud to attend college and be a mom at the same time. Being a mom helped her stay focused on her classes--knowing she that did not have room for errors and that things needed to be done. She could not slack off in classes or pay attention to anything other than school.

“I am thankful for the help I receive from my parents and from ENMU. It has all helped in making me responsible and successful,” said Ms. Ramirez.