To say Anabel Rivas' personal journey toward an associate degree at Midland College has been an unlikely one could be an understatement.
To say Rivas’ personal story is an inspiration is a fact.
The native of Mexico has survived being placed on the street at the age of 16 to balance raising three kids while attending school and learning the language of her adopted country, Midland College reported in a press release.
“Anabel has shown herself and her children that hard work, perseverance and faith are what it takes to accomplish any goal," Outreach & Bill Pace Cogdell Scholarship Coordinator Josie Samaguey said. "Her heartwarming personality goes hand in hand with the health care goal she is pursuing. I am so proud of Anabel."
In December Rivas graduated from Midland College with an associate of applied science degree in health information management. She will enter the nursing program in the fall with the hopes of reestablishing her career in that field. Rivas has previously attended nursing school in Mexico but became sidetracked. After her father kicked her out of the home, she got married. Financial issues and pregnancy forced her to leave nursing school in her native country. She would eventually become divorced with two kids and meet a boyfriend with whom she would move to Eagle Pass.
Relationship issues left Rivas alone, pregnant with another child as she entered the Safe Space of the Permian Basin in Midland. Alone with no money or family support, Rivas began taking English as a second language courses. As she learned English, she felt secure enough to enroll in classes at Midland College.
"I did not feel that my English was good enough to go into nursing," she said. "So, I decided to pursue a major where I could be close to that profession until my English improved."
Rivas earned the 2020 Midland College Bill Pace Cogdell Scholarship in 2020 to put herself in place to enter nursing school. Once she finishes the next step of her journey, Rivas intends on using her nursing education in Midland.
"Sometimes we have a fear of the future.” Rivas said. “We ask ourselves – what if I am not going to make it? We always have time – it passes anyway. There are consequences to the decisions we make in life. Education is a benefit for our children. If you want to make a better life for yourself and your children, education is the key."