Twenty-nine-year-old David Isaac Camarillo is a first-generation, Mexican American 2021 college graduate from HCC; he graduated with an associate in arts degree in mass communications.
Originally from Wauchula, Florida, he graduated from Hardee Senior High School in 2010.
“After graduating from high school, I took classes at my local community college, but I decided it wasn't for me. That turned into me taking a step back from my education and getting to work instead. It's funny how your mindset can play such a huge role in your decision-making because I really thought I couldn't succeed when it came to college.”
Before enrolling at HCC in fall 2019, David worked as a supervisor for Bed Bath & Beyond for three years, commuting from his home in Hardee County to Lakeland. Eventually, he made the permanent move to the Lakeland area.
“Being in my customer service role, I realized I wanted to go back to school. I really like communicating with people, and I figured I’d give it a go at a communications major. I started doing my research on schools in the area and realized there were several options. After visiting HCC, it seemed like the perfect fit.
When I got my motivation back, I didn’t take it for granted. I gave school my full commitment.”
A student at the Plant City Campus, David is a proud member of the HOPE Scholars program, the TRiO Student Support Services program, Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), Student Government Association (SGA), the HCC Honors program, as well as a work-study student for student services.
“When it comes to being involved, you have to have an inner motivation. I knew I wanted the full college experience, so that meant I had to do more than just go to class. I’m not going to lie; you have to really work hard and stay motivated on your schoolwork but getting involved is really rewarding.”
Due to his high-striving academic efforts, David has made the Dean's List every semester. His plan after HCC is to take a semester off with plans of transferring to the University of Central Florida in the spring of 2022 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in public relations.
“I’m so unbelievably thankful for the position I’m in to finish my education. I know a lot of people don’t have the same resources or opportunities. I’m also very fortunate to finish my degree at HCC with the help of scholarships. Not having to worry about how you are going to pay for school makes a huge difference in your determination.
As a first-generation college graduate, I know even within my own family, no one was given the same opportunities that I’ve been given. All I can say is I’m very lucky.”
“Around the time I first enrolled at HCC was when my involvement with the HOPE Scholars program began. I reached out to the program coordinator, Mr. Patrick Sneed, and he was quick to get back to me to talk about my needs as a student and figure out how the program could help me. The main goal of the program is to help Black and Latino male students succeed in college, from academic support to just giving you encouragement when you need it.
Everyone in the program has been nothing but helpful, and my favorite part is that students are set up with a mentor who is there to guide you during your time at HCC. It’s great to have that support system.
Mr. Sneed is really great about checking in with us individually and seeing how we are doing in our classes.
Students in the program are also given a stipend, and even though HCC is very affordable, every little bit helps when it comes to paying for your classes.
I think we all greatly benefit from the opportunities given to us because of the HOPE program, and it's one of the main reasons I’m planning to transfer to UCF. We go on a lot of college tours and while visiting UCF, we got the full experience of the school and its community. The HOPE Scholars program serves as the bridge between HCC and all the possibilities that come after.
The HOPE students also get to attend the Black, Brown and College Bound Summit (BBCB) which is an annual conference hosted by HCC where Black and Latino students from other colleges around the country come together. It’s a great event, and you really feel a sense of camaraderie talking to students from other schools who have a similar background as you who are all trying to get an education.
All the opportunities I’ve been given because of the program have been rewarding and have inspired me to keep working hard.”
“If you want to go back to school, you have to find the resources that will best benefit you. For me, it was student services, TRiO, PTK, SGA and the HOPE Scholars program. Everyone I’ve reached out to for help has been nothing but gracious. Even during the pandemic, everyone over at Plant City has been nothing short of a family.”
“Looking back at all my experiences, I would suggest just talking to people. Every student, and even the staff and faculty, have their own unique story that will contribute to your own motivation. Everyone has a reason for pursuing an education, and at a community college, sometimes that story has a little more grit to it.”
David says, “When you feel like quitting just remember this quote from Babe Ruth. ‘Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.’ It’s so easy to be negative and think about all the ways something can go wrong, but that mindset is never going to get you to the place you need to be to turn your life around.
You have to take a first step, even if that first step is simply taking a college campus tour. You have to trust that you’ll find what it is that you’re good at and have an actual passion for.”
David would like to thank Charlene Bell, Molly Coufal, Angela Mick, Bonnie Nimmo and Kara L. Williamson for being a huge support during his time at HCC.