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A Mom Realizes her College Dream 35 Year Later

dolores-montezVirginia Mares of Student Success says it was a given in her household that she and her siblings were going to college.

So when Virginia received her master’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake University last year, it was anticipated and something her sisters, brother and mother celebrated.

But it was Virginia’s mom, Dolores Gonzalez Montez, that was inspired to go to college after encouraging her kids for so many years. At the young age of 49, Dolores enrolled at Northwest Vista College.

“She was determined! Virginia said of her mother. “She came to Northwest Vista’s Visit Day and did a tour and fell in love with the campus.”

Just two years later while working full time and going to college part-time, Dolores is completing her degree this fall and plans to walk across the stage at the commencement ceremony in May. Virginia said her whole family will be there cheering her mom on as her mother did throughout the years for her own children.

Dolores admits that going to college as an older student does come with some trepidation.

“I was scared. I was unsure that I would be able to keep up with the younger students, especially with all the advances in technology,” she added.

While Dolores encouraged her three daughters and son to attend college, it was a constant message she heard from her own parents despite her father only got to the sixth grade. Out of Dolores’ six siblings, Dolores was the only one who didn’t attend college.

dolores-montez_1Virginia said at the young age of 19, her mother gave birth to her first child (Virginia) and for many years put her college dreams on hold. Even when Virginia had her own daughter 11 years ago, Dolores was there helping to watch her so Virginia could go to college.

It wasn’t until a recent divorce that Dolores started focusing on herself. Virginia says when her mom finally applied for graduation, she started crying because she was so proud of herself.

Dolores plans to attend Southern New Hampshire University to eventually earn her bachelor’s degree – even with her youngest daughter attending Texas Tech University, another daughter going to graduate school at Our Lady of the Lake University, and her son a junior in high school.

“(Completing my degree) is a sense of pride,” Dolores added. “More than anything, it means fulfilling my parents’ desire that each of their children would have a college degree.”

5 Comments

  1. Reply

    Bfff, there are no words that can express how proud I am of you. You have shown that no matter how tough life gets you can achieve your dreams. I wish you nothing but the best and that God continues to bless you with all your goals.
    All my love, ~Ceci ❤️~

  2. Tila Alvarado

    Reply

    I am so proud of you Dolores for taking a bad situation and turning it into something positive. Focusing on yourself was the best thing you could have done. You are a great person, great Mom, and great friend.

  3. Jo beth

    Reply

    I have known Dolores for many years and have witnessed her struggle. It was 38th Faith love and God that she fulfilled her dream. She is truly a remarkable woman and should be commended for her strength and commitment to pursue her college degree. God bless you and your family.

    • Dolores

      Reply

      Thank you JoBeth! With God, family and good friends line you by my side I could not fail!

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