Right on Time
'Every graduate here has pushed through something difficult to stand where we are today. We arrived here because we kept going, even when it was hard, even when it felt impossible, even when no one was watching.' – Sachelys Perez '26
Psychology major Sachely Perez '26, of Ware, was one of two graduates invited to speak at HCC's Fall Graduate Reception on Dec. 1. She has been accepted for spring transfer to both Amherst College and Westfield State University to study psychology in hopes of one day become a trauma therapist.
'Good evening, everyone,
My name is Sachelys Perez, and I have been a student at HCC since the fall of 2023. I graduated from high school in 2020, so it took me three years to finally begin pursuing my true aspirations.
It takes courage to start listening to yourself after giving so much power to the people around you – especially when the choices you make shape your life. Because it took me so long to trust my own direction, I promised myself that once I started, I would earn my degree in two years. I knew I had no time to waste.
Walking into the Admissions Office for the first time was intimidating, but they immediately guided me to El Centro, where I met Julissa Colón. Oddly enough, Julissa is also my mother’s name, spelled exactly the same, and that coincidence felt like a sign that, even though I was scared, I was exactly where I was meant to be.
Everyone at El Centro was incredibly welcoming and supportive. They reminded me that many students take longer than two years to finish – especially those who work full time – but I couldn’t accept that as my story. They supported my goals while also reminding me to breathe. I took classes year-round to stay on track, and today I’m standing here as an HCC graduate with my degree in psychology – exactly two years later.
When I began my journey here, I was working as a paraprofessional at Old Mill Pond Elementary School in Palmer, which meant I could only take online and evening classes. My first psychology course was with Professor Thomas Waskiewicz, and it was a truly meaningful experience. One of our final assignments explored nature versus nurture and asked us to examine our lives to understand what shaped us most. That project brought our class closer together and taught me so much. Not just about myself, but about people and the experiences that influence who they become. It made me even hungrier to learn.
I knew I wanted more in-person classes, and I was fortunate to find a job as a recovery support specialist at Gandara with a 3-11 p.m. schedule. This let me be on campus in the mornings and still make it to work. During this time, I balanced a full-time job, a 45-minute commute, and all my coursework without ever giving myself a real break. I still attended campus events because I genuinely wanted to be part of this community. I did all of this not because it was easy, but because I was determined, and, today, I’m standing here as proof that it is possible.
Now it’s time for the next chapter. I plan to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology and am already thinking ahead to a master’s degree. My goal is to become a trauma therapist so I can help people understand themselves, heal, and move forward.
This is my story, but it’s only one story in a room full of determination and perseverance. Every graduate here has pushed through something difficult to stand where we are today. We arrived here because we kept going, even when it was hard, even when it felt impossible, even when no one was watching.
Today is not just a celebration of what we’ve accomplished – it is a reminder of our resilience and our power to build the lives we imagine.
To all the graduates, past, present, and future: may we continue to rise, continue to reach, and continue to believe in our own voices.
Congratulations! Thank you."
