Norwalk Community College

Spotlight

Maria Almazan, Graphic Design, 2014

Poster

I was born in Guatemala, a beautiful and lush country, but one where gangs and violent crimes reign supreme. Luckily for me, I didn’t get to fully understand the troubles as I was brought over at the age of 5 to the states. It had been my first time traveling, and the first time meeting my parents. I had been raised by my mamita and papito, grandparents, so I had not completely understood the concept or reasoning for these 2 new adults in my life. Unbeknownst to me I also had a little brother, and soon after a little sister. All these new customs, people, and places in my life were overwhelming that I was a borderline mute, I just refused to speak. Then school started and I picked up English…you couldn’t pay me to shut my mouth. School was one of the first things I loved here. I could go outside with all the other children and there were no bars on the windows. We had clean and crisp books with wonderful colors and stories. It was an amazing new world.

Not too long after my arrival my cousins came over from Guatemala too. We were living in a 3 bedroom apartment with 5 kids and 6 adults. It’s funny really; this is where I jokingly tell people my childhood ended. The adults left early and came home late from work so I learned to clean the home, do laundry, prepare simple meals, and take care of my siblings and cousins before I was 7. My parents’ divorce came and went, and the caregiving intensified into high school until I moved into my dad’s house. I felt like Cinderella! I would start to clean, they would tell me leave it and go play. I would watch my new sister, they would tell me to focus on school. I felt lost, but free. I began to focus on things I really enjoyed, art and technology. I was attending AITE in Stamford, a school I know shaped my life. I left feeling like I could do anything. I wanted to be an electrical engineer, an architect, or computer programmer. My mother pushed for a doctor, my father pushed for an architect. I knew the fields were difficult, and the fear of failing them was too much. So when I was accepted to the University of New Haven, I went into Psychology. Completely out of left field, I know. It felt like a cop out. Not because it’s an easier field, but because they didn’t have any expectation of me as a psychologist.

I attended UNH for less than a semester before reality really hit; I just couldn’t afford it. I left and worked at a deli for a year for a wage that was too low, and for a boss who would regularly skip out of my pay. It was during this time that people I knew were suggesting NCC. I would look at them in horror. NCC? Isn’t that where all the dropouts and troubled kids go? I’m sorry to say I had a very negative image of the college at the time. But the truth still stood, I had to go back to the school. That fall I walked into the East Campus and on a whim, picked Web Design. Not because I was interested, but it’s what I thought sounded best to all the other options I had. I honestly had no idea what it was.

The first day of classes came and I was instantly hooked. I had forgotten how much I really enjoyed school. The second semester came and I was in love…art, design, and technology all in one? As cliché as it may sound, I knew that I wanted this to become my life’s passion. I would succeed, no matter the hardship; I was going to do this for me and only me. By the time I graduated my classes and interests honed in on Graphic Design. If I stopped to write about all the great times I had along the way we would be here forever.

In the end NCC was nothing like I thought. The quality of education I received here far surpassed what I had been given at a school that charged 40k a semester. The professors were almost all still active in their respective field and still passionate about teaching us about their professions. The facilities and opportunities provided for me as an individual far surpassed anything I could have imagined. Internships, awards, and paid work that continues to stay with me even after graduation are all a result of NCC.

With how my personal life took over, I wasn’t able to physically attend graduation and missed out of my chance to speak with my professors. So to those in the AA+D department; thank you. Thank you a million times over. For the advice, for the guidance, the laughs, and for the opportunities, you have all truly been an inspiration to me.