CENTRAL

josieJosie ThompsonPinnacle Career InstituteMassage Therapy"I came here a mere shell of a person. I had little direction of what to do with my new-found life and a tiny spark of a dreamfor the future. I was very torn on what to do and where to start. You see, just shy of a year before I enrolled in school, I walkedout of a 10-year abusive marriage. It was the hardest decision of my life; I had been put down for so long I no longer knewwho I really was. I was a lost soul looking for something, not knowing what it was or where to find it. With support from veryclose and dear friends and family, I gathered together enough strength to start crawling to a new beginning."The first month of school I was still very unsure of what I was doing. I had found a passion for helping people, and I wasstarted on the path to be able to with massage therapy, but I was still unsure if I had made the right decision. I was remindedday after day that I had. When I walked out of my marriage, I had nothing. No money, no home, no future. I was lied toand betrayed by friends I thought were true friends. But through that I found people and resources I never knew existed. Icontinued to move forward, blindly and scared to death. What I’ve gained here over the past nine months is more than I everimagined. My tiny spark of a dream has turned into a blazing fire of passion and persistence. I’ve learned the true meaning ofperseverance and hope.The teachers and staff here have touched my heart in such a way I could never repay them even if I tried. They opened myeyes to possibilities and taught me how to talk to myself in a positive way. My shell has been filled, my cup runs over with joy,I have new chapters itching to be written in my story that I thought had long been over. When I dream now, I can see myselfaspiring, touching lives, helping others – something I thought I could never do. I’ve heard many quotes about overcomingobstacles, and they are often associated with mountains. The pinnacle is the sought-out point, the top, the summit, whereyou can find rest and look out over the valley you just overcame and say, 'YES! I did that – I survived.' I have survived, I’veovercome, and I now look forward instead of backward and see light up ahead. God can move mountains for you, but youstill have to take the journey. And what a journey I’ve been on. I pray that my journey will be seen, and I can leave big enoughfootprints behind for others to follow and find the same hope I have."Thank you for this school and for the amazing staff that cares so much for all the students that pass through the doors everymorning. I will miss each and every one of them. My prayer is that one day they will look on me and be proud of what I haveaccomplished. My walls now have doors, windows, escape hatches and nooks – my possibilities are endless!" ◄My name is Marsha Welsh, and I am a Bryan College graduate. I startedBryan College in the spring of 2008, and graduated in January of 2010.I am a single mother of two children; I have always worked two jobs. Iam a victim of domestic violence. These things are what brought me toBryan College.After becoming a victim of domestic violence, I had lost my full-timejob as an assembly worker in a warehouse, only making nine dollars anhour in a sweatshop. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do after losing myjob. I heard about Bryan College from another Bryan College graduate,and I decided to sign on with Bryan College.marshaMarsha WelshBryan CollegeBryan College helped me gain my self-esteem, self-respect, my pride,etc. I had many road blocks come my way while in school; I learnedhow to overcome these road blocks by referring to the Pacific Institute.I am proud to say that going to school has helped with my children’seducation. My son has brought his grades up to a 4.0. My daughter hasgraduated from high school.Since graduating from Bryan College, I have received a job at ReliableChevrolet. I am a receptionist/secretary. I do plan to move up in thecompany. My goal is to work in the accounting office. I have now beenwith Reliable for about three months now.In closing, you can be anything you want to be, as long as you set yourmind to it. You either do it or you don’t. ◄overcomingadversity www.CareerCollegeCentral.com | 31