EDUARDO RANGEL | THE POLY POST

Coronavirus can’t take away my moment

What a short, but long road it has been as a student at Cal Poly Pomona. 

Being a senior and finishing my educational career without a ceremony to celebrate my accomplishment because of COVID-19 precautions is not what I expected.

I have waited for this moment like everyone else, who put in the time and work to complete all the required courses in order to reach graduation and the moment to shine. Will I get that moment? Yes; yes I will.

EDUARDO RANGEL | THE POLY POST

As a first-generation college student, I will have my moment to shine with my family and loved ones. 

Everything I have accomplished to reach this point will not be taken away. 

I will leave my mark here at CPP and take away all the learning experiences and friendships I gained along the way. 

Being a transfer student from El Camino Community College, I had a plan to continue my educational career in order to obtain my bachelor’s degree in communication. 

Logging into my portal in spring 2018 and finding out I was admitted was an incomparable joy because this campus opened doors for me. 

At first, entering a new school as a junior made me feel a step behind by not knowing where each building was or how parking worked. 

I asked myself, “Will I fail at being a university student?” 

I doubted whether I would be able to complete all my requirements and not lose my shot at being successful.

Eventually, I knew CPP was the right choice as I met peers with similar journeys as mine and I felt a sense of belonging. 

College is not meant to be gone through alone. 

After I graduate, my goal is to pass along my experience to college students who are first-generation and unsure of college. 

I leave feeling accomplished and knowing every moment that comes after graduation will be a reflection of my time at Pomona. 

Without my degree, there would be no doors to knock on and no dream job to chase. 

I will miss walking by the Rose Garden, always taking my lunch break at the Campus Marketplace, walking over to University Park to see what events were happening during U-hour and sitting down under a tree while listening to music, waiting for class to start. 

But I leave carrying my green and gold memories with me because I am a Bronco for life even if graduation was postponed.  

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