Gladis Venegas Student Spotlight

Gladis Venegas’ journey at Grays Harbor College is one of rediscovery and resilience. After graduating from Lake Quinault High School in 2017, she started college immediately, pursuing nursing prerequisites. But as time passed, Gladis realized nursing wasn’t the right fit. She took a step back to reevaluate and, in the spring of 2024, returned to GHC with a fresh perspective and a new goal: becoming a teacher.

The decision didn’t come easy. “I thought, ‘Should I keep pursuing nursing? I’ve already started,’” she admits. “But I realized I shouldn’t feel down on myself. My boyfriend, who’s a teacher, said, ‘You’d be great at this,’ and I thought, ‘Maybe you’re right.’” Gladis is now working through her prerequisites for GHC’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Teacher Education (BAST) program, with the goal of applying this spring. She has found her determination to achieve her dream of teaching elementary-aged students. “Kindergarten would be fun. I don’t have kids, but I think it’d be so much fun.”

Choosing GHC was an easy decision for Gladis. “It’s close to home,” which makes commuting from Quinault manageable, and it lets her stay connected to her family and friends. Over the years, she’s found incredible support at GHC, especially from Lizbeth Sanchez from TRIO. “Lizbeth has been amazing. She’s always checking in and helping with homework. TRIO has really made things so much easier for me,” Gladis says.

Her time at GHC hasn’t been all work and no play! One of her favorite memories during her time at GHC was Student Life’s Mayhem event. “One year, my friends and I decided to join in, and we had so much fun in the bouncy house! Props to Student Life!” she says with a laugh. She’s also recently gotten involved in volunteering with the Latinx Youth Summit, continuing to find ways to make her college experience meaningful and enjoyable.

For Gladis, the most important lesson she’s learned is to never give up. “Don’t give up, no matter how hard the situation gets,” she says. “Just keep pushing through, and always prioritize your mental health,” she says. Through her time at GHC, she has also become a role model for her younger brother, who also studies at GHC, always encouraging him to work hard and stay focused on his goals.

Looking ahead, Gladis is excited about the future. Her dream is to become a teacher in her local community, inspiring young learners and giving back to the place that shaped her. “GHC has helped me so much, from getting the classes I need to just being a supportive community. It’s made all the difference,” she says.

Gladis’ story is one of determination and finding her way forward. Her advice to fellow students? “As Dory says, just keep swimming!”