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By Iris Serrano
Photos by Kimberly Coffin (CritMedia, StratComm鈥�18)

Sujei Perla Martinez was determined to take charge of her college career in the same way she takes charge of being a role model for her younger brother.

鈥淏efore college, I thought I had everything figured out since I鈥檓 the eldest sister. That couldn鈥檛 be further from the truth,鈥� Perla Martinez said. 鈥淥ver the years, I learned a lot about myself as I overcame many obstacles.鈥�

And she did so in style: She鈥檚 graduating as the William W. White Outstanding Senior for the Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Media Design, having completed a degree in strategic communication with an emphasis in media design. The White awards are chosen by CMCI baby直播app and honor students for their academic accomplishments, professional achievements and service to the college.

Perla Martinez said when it came to overcoming those obstacles, the community she built at CMCI was key, especially the people she met through her countless volunteering experiences and her classes.听

Most important was her multicultural leadership scholars cohort, the Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority, and the UMAS y MECHA student group, as well as the classroom.

鈥淢y community helped foster a place for self-discovery and encouraged me to be unapologetically myself while helping me grow within my values and beliefs,鈥� Perla Martinez said.听

Her academic and extracurricular achievements were not just due to her hard work. She said she recognizes the efforts of those who came before her who fought for her right to an education鈥攊n particular, her parents.

鈥淕rowing up, I saw my mother work hard jobs to raise my brother and me,鈥� Perla Martinez said. 鈥淓very day, I stand on campus and try my hardest to show my mother that her sacrifice wasn't in vain.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檓 the first in my family to get a degree. It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears, but I can finally say we did it.鈥�