I’m a cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) at one-and-a-half-years-old. For six years, on and off, I had chemotherapy and three relapses. I had my bone marrow transplant on December 22, 2006, so as of this year, it’s been about 13 years in remission, give or take. You have to make the most of your life because you might never get a tomorrow. As the older generations are moving on, it’s time for younger generations to step up and take a stand and make our voices known. I want to take an active position rather than sit on the sidelines. The more people who stand for each other, and the more voices that are heard, the more we’ll be noticed. I see that happening here at Santa Fe. We have diverse ethnic groups here, diverse interests, 80+ club and student organizations, along with academic senators and at large senators all representing the student body and trying to work out the issues we face here at college. My original plan as a student was to go to UF, but then I thought, Santa Fe’s cheaper, it’s more accessible, it’s more open. People are friendly and willing to assist you in your academic goals. You get a sense of community and family here.
Joshua Ibarrientos, A.S. Information Technology