My name is Noemi, and after nine years as a Medical Assistant, I am on the verge of becoming the first person in my family to earn a degree. I am currently a student in the Diagnostic Medical Sonographer program at Casa Loma College. My goal has always been to achieve further education for myself and showing my family that a better future is possible through education and hard work.

This journey hasn’t been easy. Because I didn’t qualify for Pell Grants, I knew I had to take full responsibility for my education without placing that financial burden on my father. I worked full time to pay my tuition each month out of pocket, taking out only a partial loan to cover the rest. Today, I’m proud to say I’ve completed 80% of my program.

In March, I reached a major milestone by starting my clinical rotations the most critical part of my training. I am now in a clinic five days a week (Tuesday through Saturday), completing 40-hour weeks while also studying for my SPI and ARDMS exams. Because of this, I had to step down to a per diem position. I now work Sundays and Mondays—my only days off which has left me with little to no time to rest and a significant gap in the income I need to cover my remaining tuition.

But this is bigger than just me.

For my family, and especially for my 3 younger sibling, this is more than just a degree. This is proof that where we come from does not define how far we can go. This is about showing them that dreaming big is allowed, and chasing those dreams is possible.

For me, this degree represents the end of every late night spent studying when I was exhausted, every moment of doubt, every time I felt like giving up but chose not to. It’s proof that I can achieve what I set my mind to and that all of this hard work meant something.

I’m not asking for help with my student loans. I’m simply asking for support to help me cover my remaining tuition so I can stay focused, finish strong, and graduate this October. Any contribution or even just sharing this would mean more than I can express.

Thank you for helping me get to the finish line.