In honor of National First-Generation Student Celebration Week, the office of New Student & Family Programs will highlight a different story from a first-gen student each day. Read below to learn about Julianna Smith’s story! To read more first-generation stories visit firstgen.uark.edu.
Julianna is a registered nurse and current graduate student from Evening Shade, Arkansas.
We asked Julianna the following questions and have included her responses:
What does it mean to you to be a first-generation student/graduate?
It means that the sacrifices my parents made have allowed me to be successful.
Why is being a first-generation student/graduate important to you?
In my family, each generation has been more successful than the one before. Neither of my parents went to college, however they were self-taught. Daddy spent 20 years in the Air Force, and Mama bought books at Goodwill for a dime each, and shared classic treasures with me. They were such a blessing to me. I am not only fulfilling my own dreams, but theirs as well.
What piece of advice would you give to first-generation students?
Listen to your elders, your teachers, your mentors. Do what it takes to succeed. My family used to say, “Todos para Familia,” everything for the family. The best way to be successful is to help each other succeed.
Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself that you feel is important for people to know about you?
My father’s generation had to endure discrimination with a stiff upper lip. My grandfather was a plumber in Corpus Christi, TX. He did a big job at the Catholic school, and instead of being paid money, he obtained a full scholarship for his first son, my Uncle Joe, to attend this elite, all-white, very expensive school. Uncle Joe did the groundskeeping when he wasn’t in classes, but instead of being paid with money, he obtained a full scholarship for my father. My father worked and got a scholarship for Uncle Patty, who did the same for Uncle Alex. To make a long story short, they all worked hard to help each other succeed in a school they could never have afforded to go to. They had to eat Wonder bread sandwiches instead of tacos, had to wear a uniform like everyone else, and were not allowed to speak Spanish. Times were different back then. They lived by the motto: “Todos para Familia,” because they each did whatever it took to pull the next one along to success. I am the living fulfillment of that promise.
Thank you Julianna for sharing your story!
