Sandra Labuschagne

I started college later in life, after moving to the United States from South Africa and navigating many personal and financial challenges. In my 30s, I enrolled at Cerritos College with high hopes and excitement about how higher education would expand my world. However, during my time there, I was diagnosed with cancer for the first time. Along with several other difficult circumstances, I had to step away from school and put my education on hold.

After a two-year hiatus, work brought me to Ventura, where I enrolled at Ventura College. I was thrilled to be back in school and immediately fell in love with the VC community. Being a student gave me purpose, hope, and a renewed hunger for learning. But only a few months after starting at VC, I was diagnosed with cancer again. It was the second time in less than three years that I had heard those devastating words.

Knowing that the diagnosis could change the trajectory of my life, I made a decision: I would stay in school no matter what. It was not easy. I underwent treatment while trying to keep up with classes, and there were many days when I was too sick to attend. Still, I refused to quit. I showed up even when I felt horrible and even after losing my hair. People stared sometimes, but I stayed focused on one goal — finishing my AA degree.

VC became much more than a college to me. It became a lifeline. While battling cancer physically and emotionally, school gave me something else to focus on. It reminded me that life is fragile and precious, and because of that, I learned to appreciate every opportunity to learn — even long essays and demanding reading assignments. As an English major, I loved immersing myself in literature, from Beowulf to ancient poetry. The professors at VC inspired me deeply because of their passion for teaching and learning.

More than a decade later, I am proud to say that I graduated from VC with my AA degree and went on to earn both my BA and MA in Education. I also earned my teaching credentials and have now been teaching high school English and Art for the past 12 years. In 2020, I was honored to be named Teacher of the Year for my district — an achievement I once never imagined possible.

Looking back, my educational journey truly began at VC. Staying in school during the most difficult period of my life gave me hope, purpose, and the determination to keep moving forward. I am incredibly grateful for God’s grace and guidance throughout that journey and for the opportunity VC gave me to pursue my dreams. I will always be proud to be a Pirate.