“The Ventura College experience was very rewarding for me, and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would,” recalls Isabel. “It was really cool to be able to complete all my IGETC/GE requirements there, so when I transferred, I could just focus on my main courses.

“Being a part of the women’s water polo team was extremely rewarding for me. I enjoyed one of the best water polo seasons of my career. My teammates, coaches, and everyone involved in the aquatics program were amazing and always helped me to succeed.”

Isabel saw playing time in all 27 games during the Pirates’ 20-7 run to a seventh-place finish in the highly competitive Southern California Conference, even scoring nine goals and tallying 18 assists. She also made lifelong friends and boosted her confidence to new heights.

“My favorite part of my Ventura College experience was the aquatics program, specifically the women’s water polo program,” says Isabel. “I am forever grateful to look back at my time on that team with the fondest of memories. I was able to progress as a player and also as an individual—and I was able to learn a lot about myself by being a student-athlete.”

Isabel is also forever grateful for the Ventura College Foundation, recognizing the organization and its valued donors for their pivotal role in her success in school and in the pool.

“The Ventura College Foundation’s support helped me to further my academic career by recognizing my passion for water polo and academics—and rewarding me with scholarships,” states Isabel. “This helped to lift the burden of expenses at my four-year university and allowed me to not stress on paying for college, but instead turn my focus to shaping my college experience.”

Also quick to credit her teachers at Ventura College, Isabel cites the academic instructional staff as “teachers who measure up to any other teachers at accredited four-year universities.”

“I would thank them for educating me and helping me on my academic journey towards UCSB and a bachelor degree,” says Isabel. “All my teachers at Ventura College were always willing to help me when I had questions or didn’t understand the material.”

Isabel also has a clear and inspiring message for any incoming students at Ventura College.

“I would tell incoming students to take advantage of the VC Foundation because their scholarships  offers something for everyone, and to students of all different backgrounds,” explains Isabel. “I was amazed at how much money the VC Foundation gives away to students, so I would urge incoming students to take advantage of these opportunities and apply to their scholarships.”

Isabel knows that this support is only because donors give generously to the VC Foundation to support the students and programs of Ventura College.

“Thank you for acknowledging me and all the other recipients of the VC Foundation’s scholarships for our hard work as students and as student-athletes,” says Isabel to donors. “Thank you for allowing us to pursue our passions and academic careers. It’s inspiring to me that people like you want to help students like me pursue academic and life goals, which I thought were ordinary and not important enough to warrant scholarships. Thank you for helping future generations fulfill their dreams in hopes that our society will be better for it.”