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A Unique Mother's Day Celebration Takes
Place at C.W. Post
as Class of 2000 Valedictorian Graduates with Mother
April 25, 2000 -- Sometimes mom really does know best, as
Sandra Torres can attest. Several years ago, Sandra's mom, RosaPagan,
enrolled her in a creative writing course, despite the fact that
Sandra was pregnant with her second child. Her mother knew it
would motivate Sandra to resume her studies. "Sandie always
loved to learn and I knew that she would do well if she decided
to go back," said Rosa.
And, when Sandra was ready to go back to school full-time,
Rosa brought her to the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University
in Brookville - where Rosa was enrolled in a master's program
- knowing her daughter would be happy there, too.
A lot has happened since then. Sandra's hard work - and the
unwavering support of her mother - will be recognized on Mother's
Day, when Sandra leads C.W. Post's commencement exercises as
class valedictorian. Best of all, her mother is one of the graduates
and will receive a master's degree in Health Care and Public
Administration the very same day. "This graduation represents
a lot of years of sacrifice and achievement for both of us, and
for our families," said Sandra. "It's amazing that
we will be able to share it in such a special way."
Sandra Torres of Central Islip epitomizes the multifaceted
woman of the new millennium. In addition to being a full-time
Honors Program and Merit Fellowship student - and psychology
major with a perfect 4.0 grade point average - she is a wife,
mother of two and active volunteer with the Central Islip/Hauppauge
Volunteer Ambulance Corp. Proud of her Hispanic heritage, Sandra
is sensitive to issues of ethnicity and plans to dedicate her
career to the quality healthcare of ethnic groups. Accepted
by the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Sandra will begin
studies in medicine this August.
Sandra has taken an active role in the C.W. Post and medical
communities as well. She is President of Beta Beta Beta Biology
Honor Society and the recipient of the C.W. Post Outstanding
Scholar Award, American Chemical Society Award, the national
Natural Science Scholar Award and a music scholarship for vocal
performance. She has been a member of the Long Island University
Chorus and C.W. Post Chamber Singers and has recently conducted
laboratory research at Cornell Medical School. She is sharing
an award with her mother, the Junior/Senior Honors Participant
Award.
To the average outsider, Sandra's life may seem like a juggling
act, but Sandra doesn't think so. "I work very hard and
my husband is very supportive of me. We share the goal of my
becoming a doctor. I couldn't have done it without him, but
I don't feel like my story is any more extraordinary than anyone
else who is working towards achieving his or her goals,"
she says. "Including my mother," she quickly added.
Sandra, now focused on the future, is an encouragement to
her fellow graduates. "As a woman, Hispanic, adult student,
wife and mother, I consider myself an example of how anyone,
when armed with determination, faith and the loving support of
her family, can achieve any goal. For me, this is the theme
of the millennium's first graduating class," she asserts.
C.W. Post's commencement exercises will be held on Sunday,
May 14, 2000. C.W. Post is one of three residential campuses
of Long Island University, the eighth largest private university
in the United States. C.W. Post's 11,000 students can choose
from a broad range of undergraduate and graduate offerings, as
well as extensive continuing education programs. C.W. Post has
awarded more than 80,000 degrees in its 46-year history. The
campus is located on Northern Boulevard, (Route 25A) in Brookville.
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