Finding Strength Through Every Stage
For Evangelina Quiroga, the road to graduation has been anything but ordinary and
every step of it reflects her resilience, compassion, and unwavering commitment to
growth.
After graduating from high school in El Paso, Evangelina made a big move to Odessa.
She chose to spend her first year working full-time, giving herself the chance to
adjust to a new city and a new rhythm of life. When she felt ready, she started her
college journey, enrolling in a full course load at Odessa College while continuing
to work. She already knew exactly what she wanted for her future. Since the age of
10, Evangelina had dreamed of a career in social work. She had seen social workers
help families move toward stability, and she felt called to make the same kind of
difference.
But life soon took her in another direction. Evangelina put her studies on hold to
be with her fiancé, whose job required frequent relocation. The couple moved to Wyoming,
and just as they began settling into their new life, tragedy struck: her fiancé suffered
a heart attack in his sleep. The loss changed everything. Evangelina returned to Texas
to be with her family, leaning on their support as she rebuilt her life.
Back home, she found work at the Ector County Courthouse, a role that continued her
pattern of choosing jobs that challenged her and helped her grow. “I can’t be at a
job that doesn’t allow me to grow,” she said, a belief that has guided every step
of her journey.
It was her cousin along with her grandparents, who encouraged her to return to school
and finish what she had started. When her cousin discovered that Evangelina was only
one semester away from completing her degree, she gave her the final nudge she needed.
Evangelina enrolled, pushed through, and proudly reached her goal. “I didn’t know
I was that close. I am proud, and I’m glad that I did it.”
Now, as she prepares to graduate with her associates in both Sociology and Psychology,
Evangelina is exploring the next chapter. She is considering several career paths,
like social work, paralegal studies, behavioral health, or pursuing a bachelor’s degree
to expand her opportunities. What she knows for sure is simple and powerful: “I just
know I want to help people, and I can do that in a number of ways.”
Evangelina Quiroga’s story is one of perseverance, purpose, and heart. Her journey
is a reminder that even when life takes unexpected turns, it can lead us exactly where
we’re meant to be.