TRiO Student Shares Experience at Policy Seminar
By Carol LaFleur
I was so excited when I found I was chosen to represent MN TRiO students at the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) conference Washington D.C. This was the third time I have competed for this opportunity, and now it was my turn. When I heard I had won, however, I was also very apprehensive because I suffer from mental health and physical problems. I was not sure how I would accomplish this. Yet, I knew somehow I would because TRiO/Student Support Services has already helped me through so many things.
Without TRiO/SSS, I do not believe I would still be in school. I attempted college once before without the help of TRiO, but was not able to succeed. TRiO/SSS has been such a miracle in my life and this trip was only one of many first. A lot of you may remember hearing or waiting for a little child's first steps and words. I feel like I am that child, because with TRIO I have had many firsts such as taking my first college class, getting my first published story, giving my first speech, and now, and taking on my first plane ride out of Minnesota.
Yes, I was scared and apprehensive to make the trip to Washington, and yet I found I did not need to be. Because just like the TRiO staff at NHCC who work with me and support me so that I am successful, the TRiO staff and students from the Minnesota Colleges and Universities that were at the conference in Washington DC were the same way. There was no fake veneer, and they were constantly supporting me along the way.
We attended the 29th annual policy seminar put on by COE to make sure that TRiO and GEAR UP are not lost within the new changes occurring in the new President Obama Administration. The Policy Seminar was phenomenal and had excellent speakers in the seminars, and I was so excited that it made it difficult to sleep. I could not wait to get to the Hill and bring my story, as well as many other students' success stories to our Congressmen and women. On the morning as we readied ourselves for the Hill, I was nervous because I was concerned that people would not listen.
I prepared by attending the Policy Seminars such as, How to Be a Better Advocate for TRiO, Engaging Students in TRiO Activism, Securing an Increase in TRiO Funding, and Preparing for Hill Visits, just to name a few. I also googled information on the Congressmen and women I would be meeting with. My SSS/TRiO advisor, Alice Peterson, had assisted me in putting together my packets with my story, my resume (which included some of my accomplishments since I have been at NHCC), and my business card. We went in teams from our state to meet and talk to our Congressional members. On our team, there were Minnesota TRiO staff, past TRiO alumni and TRiO students, and we each had our own part to do. This made a dynamic team to be reckoned with.
We met with Senator Amy Klobuchar's assistant, and she was supportive. Then we were able to take in some history when Congressman Paulsen's office gave us Capitol Hill tour passes and House Gallery passes. In addition, Senator Klobuchar's office gave us Senate Gallery passes. So again, because of TRiO, I gained more knowledge, this time of the history of our country.
We then met with Blair Bjellos, the assistant in Congresswoman Michelle Bachman's office, and she was so excited about the accomplishments that TRiO has assisted me in achieving. In addition, she was amazed at my true-life stories, which, without the assistance of NHCC SSS/TRiO writing tutor, Juliana Boner, I would not have completed and submitted for publication.
Our final visit was Congressman Paulsen's office where we first met with him as a team, and then I had a private meeting with him. I had another opportunity to enlighten a new Congressional representative about TRiO and how much I have been helped by TRiO/SSS support. I let him know that without the TRiO staff and the federally funded program none of my accomplishments would have been possible.
TRiO has been mine and so many others' true-life miracles. I know that I am responsible for the actions I have taken on my behalf, but I have my angels from TRiO to support me, as well as shove me a little when I need it. I feel that being in Washington provided me with the opportunity to educate various members of Congress about TRiO and how important it is to individuals who come from lower incomes, who have disabilities and/or who are first- generation college students.