Elizabeth Vargas
B.A., summa cum laude, Social Work, with Departmental Honors, 2021
M.S.W., Seattle University, 2022
Medical Social Worker, Kaiser Permanente
“ I realized that I could not give up the idea of pursuing my most desired dream of graduating from college because the only way I can help to speak up for those whose voice cannot be heard is by educating myself.”
Notable: First-generation student; Additional language: Spanish
Civility Research Project: Discrimination Against Hispanic Immigrants and Its Effect in Education
Transfer Institution: Highline College, Associate of Arts, 2019
Service & Work:
Manicurist, Method and Madness Salon, 2012 – 2021
Family Engagement, Bailey Gatzert Elementary, 2019 – 2020
Volunteer Store Assistant, Treehouse Nonprofit, 2018 – 2019
Volunteer, El Terrrero de Refugio School Supply and Clothing Drive, 2011, 2016, 2019
Awards & Honors:
Madeline Lowell, PhD, Excellence Award, 2021
President’s List
Member, Tau Sigma Honor Society
Member, Phi Alpha Honor Society
Member, Sigma Nu Honor Society
Alfie Scholars Cohort 2019
Messina Scholarship 2019
Elizabeth’s Story
I came to the United States at the age of 15, from Mexico. I grew up in a small town where the education is very limited. Growing up, I only had access to primary school, grades 1-6, and secondary school, grades 7-9. Secondary school was not like any typical school with normal classrooms and teachers. There were no full-time teachers; in fact, we only had one teacher for grades 7-9. My classes were transmitted on television every day. 9th grade was the conclusion of the education for many people in my community, including my two older brothers. Not many had the opportunity to go to high school because the nearest one was too far away, it was not free, and there was no public transportation. That would have been my fate if I had stayed in Mexico.
I remember the joy I felt when I found out that my family and I were going to move to the United States. All I could think was that my education had an expiration date no more. Coming to this country was the greatest gift I could ever ask for because I was a step closer to accomplish my dream of graduating from a university one day.
My journey has not been easy, of course. Since my arrival, I have faced many challenges such as racism, discrimination, lack of support within the educational system, and the language barrier. There was a time in my life I felt defeated; for a while, I struggled with depression and anxiety after some tragic events. Those challenges set me back on my way to college, and I almost gave up the idea of pursuing my most desired dream.
One day I witnessed an event that reminded me that I could not give up the idea of going to college. It was around ten in the morning; the temperature had already reached 90 degrees. I went to a local carwash that was in my neighborhood. While I was waiting for my car to be washed, I was paying close attention to all the employees who were working as fast as they could before the sun would evaporate the water off the cars. There was a Hispanic woman who specifically caught my attention because I could see how hard she was working to bring some shine to an old black Audi. She was a tiny woman, but her short height was not an impediment to do her job. I witnessed all the hard work and effort she put into that car; she even used a step stool to reach out to the top of the car. I could tell she was exhausted from the heat, but she just kept going. Suddenly, she waved a towel she had on her hand, that was the sign the car was ready. At the same time, my car was also finished. Quickly, I walked towards my car and as the person who washed my car was handing me my car keys, I overheard the word “wetback.” I looked around, and an old man was yelling at the woman who was cleaning the black Audi. He was outraged because apparently, she had missed a few spots. He was calling her racist names and complaining about the work she had done. When I looked, the woman's face was facing to the ground, saying the word "sorry" and cleaning the spots on the car she had missed. That moment, I felt a rush of emotions all over my body. Suddenly I heard myself saying. “Excuse me! You have no right to treat her this way. If you want your car to be spotless, take it somewhere else.” I looked at the woman and told her in Spanish "Please stop cleaning his car and do not apologize anymore because you have done more than enough.” At that moment, the old man started threatening to call ICE (The U.S. Immigration and customs enforcement.) so they could send us back to our country.
That day I realized that I could not keep quiet anymore. For the first time, I decided to speak up even when I had always been afraid of speaking up for my self. After that incident, I also realized that I could not give up the idea of pursuing my most desired dream of graduating from college because the only way I can help to speak up for those whose voice cannot be heard is by educating myself.
Goals:
I aspire to become a social worker because I want to be able to spread civility and to be an advocate for those whose voices cannot be heard. I know that this profession will provide me with the necessary tools to assist and bring support to those in need. I hope to make a change in their lives by helping them to fight for what is right and by improving the unfortunate situations that individuals and families might be facing.
On Civility:
I describe civility as the foundation that is holding the pillars of our diverse society together. Civility allows every single individual to coexist with each other with respect, tolerance, and harmony in this complicated world. Without civility, there is a risk of a weak foundation in which our society could collapse and create nothing else but chaos and despair. It is not too late to strengthen our society's foundation, and the only way to do this is by spreading the kindness, love, and respect everyone deserves.
