I grew up a Latina in a predominantly white community. Like many other people of color, I faced daily struggles due to the identities I held. Finding space where I could be myself wasn't always easy, but there were a few people at McDowell High School who became a part of my support system and helped me make my way to Appalachian State, many of whom still welcome me with open arms as a come back to McDowell as a college adviser.
On my first day back at McDowell High School as a college adviser, I was filled with nervousness. So many questions filled my head as I headed to the auditorium entrance; Would my past teachers recognize me?Would they struggle to see me as a coworker and not a student?Would my age get in the way? Will I be able to build and rebuild relationships with the staff? Needless to say, I was anxious, but most of the anxiety went away when I opened the door, and the first person I saw was Pat Gross. If you don’t know Pat Gross, I truly feel sorry for you. Aside from being the reason I actually applied to college, she has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to college access making her the perfect College and Career Specialist at McDowell High. I’ll continue later on with how amazing Pat is, but back to my first day. As soon as Pat sees me, she walks up to me with open arms and welcomes me back to McDowell. The entire first day, I didn’t leave her side, partly because we share an office, but mostly because I was so comfortable around her. As my site facilitator, she guided me through the halls I was now unfamiliar with, introduced me to the staff I didn’t know, and presented me with my new title to the staff that once taught me. She put me at ease, making sure I felt comfortable and prepared for my next steps; doing exactly what she did just 4 years earlier when I was a senior at McDowell High.
I can’t remember the day I met Pat Gross, but I do remember the impact she had on my life. As she does with all her students, even to this day, she pushes them to reach their full potential, no excuses. When I walked into her office back in 2017 with no idea how to apply to college or where to start, she sat me down and walked me through it all. When my parents didn’t know what FAFSA was or why we had to prove our residency in North Carolina, she took her time in making sure their questions were answered. It was her committed passion for helping students, especially Latinx/Hispanic students, that made her a safe space. She was someone that I could trust and I knew was rooting for me. Her commitment to students then pushed me to achieve my goals, and it’s that same commitment now that drives me to help the next generation of students to reach theirs. When it came down to deciding my next steps after college, Ms. Gross became a great influence. She showed me and continues to show me the importance of having college advisers present, especially at McDowell High.
Having my own support systems and spaces set in place showed me the value of having an adviser and mentor that not only looks like you but understands your background and where you come from; because of Appalachian College Advising Corps’ mission and its values, I saw an opportunity to do just that. Because I am a Latina first-generation student, daughter of immigrants, and come from a low socio-economic household, I am familiar with some of the struggles students in my community are facing when it comes to applying to college. Many of them don’t know where to start. They don’t know about RDS or FAFSA and many think they can’t afford that next step. Many times they think they have no support. Being a college adviser at McDowell High felt like my chance to give back. I was once there; I know the feeling. Students deserve someone in their corner; someone constantly rooting for them, and I want that to be me.
If I’m being candid, I never planned on coming back. I was one of those students who claimed that once I left Marion, that was it. Though part of me was ready to cut all ties, the other part knew that I was always meant to come back. I knew I had a deeper purpose at McDowell High. I can’t quite explain the feeling, but it was always there. It's that same feeling that now reassures me that I am exactly where I need to be. I’m advising students who, like me, didn’t know their options; a full circle moment.
Written by Brenda Valdez, Adviser at McDowell High School
Brenda Valdez
