May marks a special time of year—graduation season. High school seniors are preparing to toss their caps and step into the next phase of life. It’s a season filled with excitement, but also uncertainty. I remember that season vividly—because in 1989, I was one of them.
I was a senior in high school, ready and eager to move forward. But alongside the excitement came an unexpected weight—anxiety. For 12 years, school had been my norm. It was structured. Familiar. Safe. Now, I was being thrust into adulthood, expected to make decisions that would impact the rest of my life. One of the biggest decisions? Choosing a college.
I applied to Texas Southern University, excited to attend with my best friend and stay on campus together. But life had other plans. In the middle of registration, I learned we wouldn’t be able to room together. Just like that, my plans unraveled. The thought of navigating this new season without my closest friend felt overwhelming. So, I made a decision—I chose not to enroll at all. Instead, I started working at a department store. I had my own car, my own money, and for a while, it felt good—free, even. I told myself I didn’t really need college. I was independent. I had it figured out.
But one day, while I was folding clothes and chatting with customers, a familiar face walked in—one of my high school teachers. We hugged and exchanged pleasantries. Then she asked a simple question: “Are you in school?” I hesitated, then answered, “No, ma’am.” She looked at me, her eyes filled with concern, and said something I’ll never forget: “Alfredia, you need to get in school. And the next time I come in here, make sure you’ve returned.” That moment shook me. It was as if she held a mirror up to my complacency. I had settled. I had let one roadblock derail my entire direction. But her words? They were the nudge I needed to move again. The gentle yet firm push out of my comfort zone.
Needless to say, she may have returned to that store—but she didn’t find me there. I was gone. Enrolled. On my way. I returned to school that fall, earned my bachelor’s degree, and later went on to receive my master’s. That one encounter reminded me that fear, friendships, or the unfamiliar should never stop us from pursuing our goals. Transition doesn’t have to be terrifying—it can be the very door that leads to transformation. So to all the graduates of May: my hat is off to you. Step boldly into your next chapter. Walk your path of GREATNESS with passion, purpose, and limitless possibilities!
Congratulations on your next level! “Greatness is not found in possessions, power, position, or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service, and character.” — William Arthur Ward
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