Sandra Labuschagne

I started at VC with high hopes and excitement of how higher education would expand my world. I enjoyed being a student and being part of the VC community. However, after being in school for a few months, I was diagnosed with cancer. It was the second time I had to hear those words in less than three years.

Knowing that it could change the trajectory of my life, I decided to do the one thing I thought would keep me going. STAYING in SCHOOL. It was not an easy choice as I had to undergo treatment and at times was too ill to go to school. BUT! I didn't quit. I would go even when I felt horrible and showed up with no hair. People would stare, but I had one goal in mind. To finish my AA.

I am eternally grateful that I was afforded the opportunity to go to College and I did not want to squander the opportunity to at least earn my AA. It is more than a decade later, and I am happy to say that I graduated from VC with my AA and went on to earn my BA and MA. I also got my teaching credential(s) and have been teaching high school English and Art for the last 12 years. The opportunity to pursue my educational goals all started with going to VC and staying in school even if it was the last thing I did. I am proud to be a Pirate!