2019年毕业生故事:卡姆·阿尔瓦雷斯

As far back as he can remember, 凸轮阿尔瓦雷斯 thought college would be in his future.

"It was just something I always said as a kid, and my parents would tell me they were going to make that happen."

On May 11, Cam will graduate from St. 竞技宝app下载安装, and become the first person in his family to earn a college degree.

"My parents have always been supportive, they wouldn't want it any other way,他说. "They fought hard to keep me in college and make this experience happen for me."

Together the family learned about FAFSA, 贷款及其他资料, and had long talks making a plan for Cam.

"I honestly would not be here without them,他说.

While looking at options for colleges, Cam knew two things: he wanted to play soccer, and he wanted to be far enough away from his town of Peoria, 生病了. to be able to feel some independence and get the full college experience.

Cam heard about SAU at a college fair, and visited campus and met with men's soccer coach Jon Mannall.

"访问ing a college practice when I was in high school was a dream come true," Cam said.

After his visit, Cam was offered a spot on the soccer team, and was sold on St. 竞技宝app下载安装.

Once Cam started at SAU, he was asked him if he would be interested in joining the cheer team. He had never cheered before, but decided to give it a try. 在大二结束的时候, Cam decided to leave the soccer team and cheered all four years of college.

"The cheer team has been like a family to me,他说. "Now I can't imagine coming here and not cheering."

Cam also witnessed the program grow in the past four years.

"Seeing the program develop has been such a cool experience,他说. "And being part of the transition from practicing at the old gym at St. Vincent's to now practicing in the new 健康与娱乐 Center."

Besides athletics, Cam was also involved in student government. 今年, 他被选为副总统, a new role that came with a lot of responsibilities he was ready to tackle.

"I got to attend meeting with Sister Joan once a month, and learned a lot of leadership skills through her,他说. "Going to board meetings was a unique experience not a lot of students have, which I am humbled by and proud of. Learning to interact with all different types of people is one of the biggest things I have learned here."

Cam has also been involved in Dance Marathon.

"Dance Marathon has been a blessing, getting to meet the kids and their families,他说. "The people involved in Dance Marathon are so passionate about it, and it's cool to be around that atmosphere, and it just adds to the overall 竞技宝app下载安装 experience."

That drive to advocate for people who need help is also a reason Cam chose to major in nursing.

"I knew I wanted to be in the healthcare field,他说. "After researching how broad the nursing field is, I knew I could get a degree and a job in four years, and then continue my education later on to become a nurse practitioner. The flexibility you have with a nursing degree is what sold me."

Cam said the nursing faculty treated his and his fellow classmates like they were colleagues.

"They help you with career paths and career advice, and treat you like you are on the same level as them,他说.

平衡类, athletics and extracurricular activities was challenging, but for Cam it helped sharpen his time management skills.

“说实话, having all these extra things made school easier, because I didn't have as much time to procrastinate,他说. "I knew I had practice at this time, so I had these two hours to study, 所以我不得不在那段时间学习. It kept me in shape and on track, I'm definitely grateful."

Outside of class, Cam said he has made friends for life here at SAU.

"A person that lived across the hall and was a stranger literally becomes your best friend and you can't imagine life without them,他说. "Those little every day interactions are the things you remember the most."

After graduation on May 11, Cam will be heading back to Peoria to work as an ER nurse at St. 弗朗西斯医疗中心.

"That is the only department I've ever wanted to work in, and my dream hospital to work at,他说.