On Thursday, 39 graduates from the Margaret Talkington School for Young Women crossed the stage, all eager for what the future holds. Of those students, was 18-year-old Massiel Gonzalez, who graduated in the top three of her class and is now college bound.
“It felt really great, I was really happy excited. Sad to say goodbye to the people I had grown up with since I was 11 years old, and so it was a mixed emotion. It was great though,” said Gonzalez.
Something she feels she might not have been able to say, had her mother not made the decision to move their family from Panama to the U.S.. in hopes of finding a better education. Gonzalez was only three at the time.
“Graduating from Talkington has showed her her decision in moving to the United States was the best decision she could have ever made,” said Gonzalez. “I’m really proud of her and happy that she made that decision in order for me to get a better education, and I hope I made her proud.”
“I wanted for my kids the best education, a better future, and for them I know we can do it when God helps,” said Natalie Zarazua, Gonzalez’s mother.
Along the way, Gonzalez became a driven, motivated young woman. While at Talkington, she found a love for radio, television and film.
Brian Ellyson, Assistant Principal at Talkington School for Young Women, taught Gonzalez in Video Tech and Graphic Design.
“She [Gonzalez] was one that pushed me as a teacher and she wanted push herself and challenged herself on a daily basis,” said Ellyson. “I can’t wait for her to come back and share her stories.”
In the fall, Gonzalez has plans to join the “Mean Green” as she attends the University of North Texas to pursue a degree in film.
Crossing the stage, Gonzalez says she’s ready to tackle her next big personal goal.
“None of my family members, not my mom, my dad, my older brother have graduated from college yet completed,” said Gonzalez. “They’ve gone to college, but haven’t really graduated from it and i hope to be the first person to graduate from it and make everyone proud.”