At the age of 14 and with only a seventh grade education, Elizabeth Guzman dropped out of school to marry a man 10 years her senior. She was faced with raising a family and had to put any hopes of an education on hold. Several years later and after suffering years of mental abuse, Guzman parted ways with her husband, divorcing him in 2001. Sadly, she was left alone with the responsibility to raise and financially support their four children, without any assistance from her ex-husband. The situation led her into a deep depression, as she realized she had no education or marketable skills to secure a job to provide for her family.

"Boy, I still remember my first day in remedial math. I had no idea what the instructor was saying, I just wrote down everything that he would write on the board and in the evening I would ask my daughters to explain the math problems to me.”

Guzman took advantage of the college’s many resources including tutoring assistance, and computer labs. With the assistance of STC’s student support system and the loving encouragement of her family, she persevered. Guzman achieved her goal, earning an Associate’s of Applied Science degree in Nursing.

Because of her dedication to learning, her triumph over adversity and her zest for creating a better life for her family, Dr. Shirley A. Reed, founding president of STC, selected Elizabeth Guzman as the 2006 Presidential Inspirational Achievement Award winner. Dr. Reed funded the $1,000 scholarship prize, which was awarded to Guzman to use in continuing her work towards a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Guzman received the award during STC’s graduation ceremony for the Division of Nursing and Allied Health on Saturday, May 13, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, TX.

“After reviewing the nominations and talking with Elizabeth, it was clear that she is not only a role model for our STC students, but anyone who feels that the problems associated with continuing your education are too hard to overcome,” said Dr. Reed. “I am so proud of her accomplishments and STC is truly honored to list her among our graduates. We hope that she knows what an inspiration she is to us all.”

By earning a college education, Guzman hoped to provide a better quality of life for her children. It was also her way of leading by example and showing her children the importance of an education. She passed the National Council Licensure Examination for nurses in November 2005 and is currently employed in Harlingen, Texas as a registered nurse at the Valley Baptist Medical Center’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

"I have a lot of appreciation for STC," she said. "I am extremely thankful to the STC staff and instructors who helped me finish and graduate from the nursing program. Not only am I thankful to the nursing instructors, but I'm more thankful to the instructors who helped me with my prerequisites to enter the nursing program. I think of their advice and guidance during my work every day. If it wasn't for STC, I don't think that I would be where I am right now."

In addition to celebrating her own graduation, Guzman also celebrated the graduation of her daughter Jennifer, who received her Associate’s degree in Business from STC on the same day. Guzman has another child attending STC. Daughter Roxanne is an Education major. She looks forward to the day that her younger children, Vanessa and Samuel, will follow their example and attend STC after they graduate from high school.

“I hope that everyone here today, in particular my children, will see what I have achieved and reach for their dreams no matter what they are,” comments Guzman during her acceptance speech during graduation. “This could be you. Don’t be content with simply sitting in the audience. Take a chance and sit out here with the graduates. It is possible. If I can do this, so can you!”

Not only did Guzman finding a rewarding career, she also found her soul mate, fellow nurse Brad. He attended Saturday’s ceremony and cheered on his new wife along with her four children and parents. The couple met at Valley Baptist Medical Center and fell in love while studying for certification exams. In fact, they spent part of their honeymoon studying.

“I am the luckiest woman in the world and I have been blessed with a wonderful man and a great opportunity,” continued Guzman. “God has really been looking out for me and I am so thankful. My life is a true success story.

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