<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd“>
The line between being a college student and a mother is continually blurred and the dust seldom settles. But when it does, I shake the dust and defy the stereotypes to become a thriving single-parent by using the challenges as a mother to fuel my educational journey. Regardless of the trials and the delay, I will provide for my daughter without compromising my dreams by being more grateful, more selfless, more understanding, and being assured: hard work bears fruit greater than the seed.
– Ezra Calado
by Alicia Wanek
Navigating New Beginnings
Ezra Calado learned early on that life can take unexpected turns, but this student at Richland College and the University of Texas at Dallas is fully embracing her new journey and seizing every opportunity. As a high school student in the talented and gifted program at DISD’s Townview Magnet High School, she had plans to attend a large university to study international business after graduation. However, the arrival of her daughter, Juliana, in the summer following her graduation required her to rethink her future. Motherhood shifted her perspective, yet now she reflects, “I believe my life will unfold as it should and at the right moment.”
Pursuing Opportunities
Ezra’s life is certainly heading in a positive direction. She is currently enrolled in the Professional Program in Accounting at UTD, backed by a full scholarship from the Terry Foundation, and is a recipient of the Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institute scholarship. Her aspiration is to combine her passion for public policy in higher education with her accounting degree after passing the CPA exam. She attributes her renewed goals to her experiences at Richland College.
Choosing the Right Path
Initially, Ezra considered taking time off after high school to care for her newborn, as some had suggested. However, when her grandmother offered to move from the Philippines to help with Juliana, she chose to continue her education immediately. Richland was the most practical choice, being nearby and offering flexible class schedules.
Overcoming Challenges
Ezra admits to feeling guilty at first about balancing her time, but she quickly learned that developing stronger study skills allowed her to complete her assignments on campus and be fully engaged with her daughter when she returned home. Soon after, she was accepted into Richland’s Honors Academy, started working in the Office of Student Life, founded an honors student organization, and became the vice president of the student government. Her involvement in extracurricular activities enriched her college experience, making her not only a better student but also a more capable individual and leader.
Finding Her Passion
Ezra’s interest in accounting was sparked during her first class in Richland’s honors program, largely due to her professor, Robyn Robertson. Ezra appreciated how Robertson drew from her professional experience while ensuring the material remained accessible. She feels that her coursework at Richland effectively prepared her for her studies at UTD, noting that the course structure was similar, aiding in her retention and continuity.
A Role Model for the Future
Ezra is a remarkably committed student and mother. Though her daughter Juliana, now 2, may not yet recognize the incredible role model her mother is, that day will come. With her family’s support, Ezra has dedicated herself to her education to ensure that Juliana has access to the same opportunities. “Richland was the best choice I ever made for myself and my future,” she states confidently. And indeed, her future looks bright.
