Dream Award Winner: Verna
Creating an independent life for herself and her daughter

Everest Institute – Kalamazoo, Michigan Graduate

Medical Administrative Assistant

According to Kalamazoo resident Verna, pursuing her education provided more than just an opportunity to gain career skills. It gave her a purpose in life. Verna enrolled in the medical administrative assistant program at Everest Institute-Kalamazoo with the desire to achieve financial independence and a better life, a life free of mental and physical abuse for herself and her daughter.

A year and a half later, Verna has a diploma and a job at a surgery center in Kalamazoo.

Verna credits Everest for giving her the skills and confidence to succeed, despite the challenges of raising a daughter while enrolled in school.

“Though she faced tremendous hardships, we could not be more proud of her for finding it in herself to push through and succeed,” said Gloria Stender, president of Everest’s Kalamazoo campus.

Dream Award Winner: Riki
Dramatically changing her life

Everest College – Portland, Oregon Graduate

Medical Assistant

For years, Riki struggled with bi-polar disorder and failed to seek treatment. However, after her second child was born with cerebral palsy, Riki was motivated to make dramatic changes in her life, including a renewed focus on her own health and getting her career on track through education.

As a student at Everest, Riki excelled. She graduated with honors and was chosen as the most inspirational student of her graduating class.

“There came a point where I finally had to take charge of my life,” said Riki, who is working as a medical assistant at a pediatric medical facility in Portland. “I had to discover the value of education on my own and it has been the catalyst for improving my life.”

Dream Award Winner: Emmanuel
Serving overseas and persevering upon his return

Everest College – Aurora, Colorado Graduate

Medical Assistant

Given up for adoption at the age of seven, Emmanuel chose to face the world on his own as soon as he was 17. Struggling to survive day to day, Emmanuel made the decision to join the United States Army. He served our country in Iraq and suffered the loss of his best friend during the war. Despite the harsh realities life had handed him, Emmanuel was grateful for every opportunity and embraced the chance to attend Everest College and pursue a career as a medical assistant.

While attending Everest College, Emmanuel continued to face and overcome personal hardships. He became homeless and had to live in his car while also dealing with serious illnesses affecting his mother and grandmother. However, despite the circumstances, Emmanuel persevered and continued to attend his classes. For Emmanuel, failure was simply not an option.

His hard work paid off. Emmanuel graduated from Everest College and is now working as a medical assistant. “Everest gave me a fresh start and opened a world of opportunities for me,” said Emmanuel. “My future is bright and I am already building upon the lessons I learned here.”

Dream Award Winner: Samantha
Becoming a life-saving hero

Everest University – Tampa, Florida Graduate

Medical Assistant

When Samantha went back to school to set a good example for her three grandchildren, she had no idea that she would also become a life-saving “hero.”

As Samantha was excelling in her studies, her medical assistant training kicked in at the most opportune time. While working at her externship at a local medical clinic, a young woman came into the clinic after being stung by a bee and collapsed at the front desk. Samantha immediately went into action. She administered epinephrine on the young woman and saved her life.

The next day, the young woman returned to thank Samantha. Samantha, who earned her diploma as a medical assistant, was hired as a full-time staff member at the same clinic where she performed her “life-saving” externship.

Dream Award Winner: Diana
Turning a dream into a reality

Everest College – Henderson, Nevada Graduate

Medical Assistant

A determined spirit, Diana never let the difficulties in her life affect her work toward a brighter future. Her dream was to graduate college and work as a medical administrative assistant – and nothing would stop her.

In September of 2009 Diana took the first step and enrolled at Everest College’s Henderson campus. Shortly after starting classes, Diana experienced her first set-back. She was in a car accident and unable to attend classes for a prolonged period of time. But Diana was not going to give up without a fight. She worked hard and caught up on everything she missed. Diana’s perseverance continued as she finished class after class, gaining confidence along the way. Confidence she would need as she faced her biggest obstacle yet – homelessness.

Despite battling homelessness and unemployment, Diana never faltered. She attended classes without fail, knowing that her education was the solution that would lead her to a job and a home. Not only did she come to school every day, she dedicated herself to helping other students. As a Student Ambassador, Diana inspired other students to push themselves to further their educations.

“I am so happy to have such a bright future ahead of me thanks to Everest College,” said Diana. “With a low sense of confidence, all I had to keep me going was a dream. Today, I can stand proud because I have turned my dream into a reality.”

Dream Award Winner: Tonya
Overcoming struggles and shelters

Everest Institute – Austin, Texas Graduate

Medical Assistant

Tonya, a mother of two, moved to Austin after losing her home to Hurricane Ike. Once in Austin, she spent her days searching for work and her nights sleeping in shelters with her kids. To get her life on track, Tonya decided to pursue medical assistant training at Everest Institute.

As Tonya recalls, her teachers and classmates gave her something to look forward to every day despite the ongoing struggles in her personal life.

Tonya completed her education and earned her Medical Assistant diploma. She currently works in a medical research clinic that specializes in mental disability and smoking studies.

“Tonya never gave up in the face of her challenges,” said Kimberly Oppermann, president at Everest Institute’s Austin campus. “She motivated each of us and still serves as a reminder that one can overcome any struggle.”

Dream Award Winner: Kristi
Conquering her own pain to help others with theirs

Everest University – Orlando, Florida Graduate

Massage Therapist

After being dealt a series of unexpected life changes, including medical issues and drug dependency, Kristi found a way to channel her hardships into a skill that helps others.

Kristi was a former drill team member at the University of Central Florida before being stricken with a painful back injury that took her off course and led to an addiction to pain killers; ultimately causing her not to finish her education. After getting her life back on track, Kristi decided to pursue massage therapy training at Everest. She chose the field in an effort to give back to others who were dealing with back and muscle pain.

After graduating from Everest, Kristi is now a licensed massage therapist employed at one of the premier hotels at Walt Disney World.

“I never in a million years would have imagined working for such a wonderful, reputable company in such an amazing place,” Kristi said. “I am confident and finally where I need to be in life.”

Dream Award Winner: Kevin
Fighting back against crime and drugs

Everest College – West Los Angeles, California Graduate

Criminal Justice

Father figures usually are role models. Not so for Kevin, the son of a high-ranking El Salvadorian gang member.

Raised in a Los Angeles neighborhood riddled with crime, Kevin’s father preferred gang life over school life for his son. Becoming a “man” meant committing acts of violence. Guns offered salvation. Selling drugs made money. But Kevin wouldn’t fall into that trap.

“My mother wanted a different life for me, and I wanted to make her proud,” said Kevin.

Kevin’s perseverance led him to earn a 3.92 cumulative grade point average at Everest College.

“We are incredibly proud of our exemplary student, Kevin,” said Michael Nielsen, campus president at Everest College – West Los Angeles. “Kevin is well on his way to making his dreams come true.”

Dream Award Winner: Steve
Studying to support a family

Everest College – Chicago, Illinois Graduate

Pharmacy Technician

Despite numerous hardships, Steve turned his dreams into reality through education, and saved his family in the process.

Steve knew he needed to step up and take care of his wife and three young children, but his job prospects looked bleak. Steve ultimately made the decision to enter the pharmacy technician program at Everest College’s Chicago campus.

While attending Everest, Steve’s wife was diagnosed with cancer. She underwent aggressive weekly chemotherapy treatments which required Steve to care for her and their three children. Despite the challenges, Steve stuck to his studies and graduated with a nearly 4.0 GPA.

During his time at Everest, Steve also completed an externship at a local pharmacy. Steve’s supervisor was so impressed with his work and his work ethic he chose to sponsor him in pharmacy school.

“Steve is a courageous person for the way he has supported his family during the hardships,” said Floyd Mack, director of education of Everest’s Chicago campus. “We wish him continued success in fulfilling his education and career goals.”

Dream Award Winner: Maricela
Building a new life after Hurricane Ike

Everest Institute – Houston Hobby, Texas Graduate

Medical Administrative Assistant

Maricela, a wife and mother of five, literally lost it all when Hurricane Ike hit Houston in September 2008. Maricela’s home and all of her family’s belongings were severely damaged and at the same time she lost her job. No water, no power, and waiting in long FEMA lines (with four children and a newborn in tow) made daily life an monumental struggle.

Less than a year after the hurricane hit and still working on the massive cleanup effort, Maricela enrolled in Everest’s Medical Administrative Assistant program. Motivated by her children and hopes for a better future, she began training for her career; driving more than 80 miles roundtrip every day to attend classes in Houston.

“Although I knew it would be a struggle, I knew I had to make it work and I never gave up,” said Maricela. “My decision to attend Everest shaped my future and the future of my children for the better. I don’t know where I’d be without Everest.”

Maricela earned her Medical Administrative Assistant diploma from Everest Institute in Houston Hobby in May 2010 and is now working as a Medical Administrative Assistant at a medical care facility in Nassau Bay, Texas.