breadcrumbs-home chemeketa-community-college-abstract-logo chemeketa-community-college-abstract-logo cross minus plus menu search oregon chemeketa-instagram chemeketa-logo-full-color envelope-o star check close home chevron-left chevron-right plus2 chevron-up chevron-down twitter facebook envelope linkedin angle-left angle-right angle-up angle-down rotate-left instagram
Jump to Header Jump to Main Navigation and Secondary Navigation Jump to main content Jump to Footer

The Second Chancer

WANTS TO SET A GOOD EXAMPLE FOR HIS FAMILY

Since completing S.O.A.R. and entering the Automotive program, Michael has more confidence and a positive, supportive peer group to keep him on track.

Michael's story

Steering Himself into a Brighter Future

My life before enrolling in Chemeketa was a mess. I spent many years in and out of jail and getting into trouble. I was jobless, unemployable and had a drug problem. I spent a couple years of my life homeless as a result of my own decisions and bad choices. I wasn't a very nice person either.

Four years ago, I was enrolled into a drug and alcohol and criminal conduct program at Chemeketa called S.O.A.R (Student Opportunity Achieving Results). That's when my life started to turn around.

I chose to enroll in Chemeketa’s Automotive program because I have always shared a passion for classic cars with my Dad and older brother. When I was a young child, my brother and I would fix cars with my Dad and it was very interesting to me.

Since entering the program, I feel that I have more confidence in myself and now have a positive group of peers that constantly support and encourage me to be a good person. I also know so much more about vehicles and the science of how the many different systems of a vehicle work. I've learned that it is possible to work towards a degree and hold a job as well.

I will be the first person in my family to graduate college and I hope I can also inspire more of my family members to seek a college education as well. I also want to inspire people that are struggling in life like I was—just because you have a dark past doesn’t mean you can't have a bright future. Anything is possible if you are willing to give up the things that are weighing you down and work towards things that will lift you up.

Meet the others