Humans of LBCC week 2

Yanci Hernandez is hard at work at her first year here at Linn Benton Community College as a college student. Working towards an education and social services major at LBCC since she was in high school, she sits in the forum building welcoming wide-eyed students, planning events such as the upcoming Dia De Los Muertos event, and offering help to those that ask. Hernandez has big plans for herself and the impact she hopes to bring. Her drive runs in the bloodline as she and her family moved to America from El Salvador when she was just nine years old for a better education and future. However, her ambition doesn't stop there. Hernandez’s confesses that her dream job is to be president of El Salvador despite the county’s law of forbidding women in a president's chair. “We had papers that were an opportunity a lot of people want,” Hernandez explains “kids don't have a dream of ‘What do you want to study when you're older?’ In my country, some people don't have the resources or the money to go to school to be able to afford that dream.” She then further goes on to say that gangs will often target young teens to recruit for a life of drugs, murder, and violence so many children do not have their mind set on education or a future, but rather surviving. A dream or a personal ambition is something that is a privilege many first world countries take for granted. However, it is a personal responsibility to pursue those ambitions and fight for the change you want to see. Hernandez is already taking those steps at LBCC for herself and pushing forward with an inspiring persistence.

Elegantly focusing on the details of her hand made pottery, Robin Evans of 64 years old stands at the edge of the table and glides her hands over the wet clay perfecting her design. Generously volunteering her time as a part-time instructor's assistant for three years after attending Linn Benton Community College for six years. After working in the bookstore at LBCC, Evans would watch the students walk out of the ceramics class with hand made glazed artwork from her bookstore window and thought “that would be fun, Id love to try that,” and she did. Inspiration can come from anywhere, from places or people you may never expect. Nine years later, Evans is still at it in the ceramics open lab designing and creating useful pieces for friends and family. Pushing her artistic abilities Evans claims to have saved a “gauge” of where she came from as a reminder of her progress in her ceramic journey to prove by putting in the hours and overcoming self-doubt, personal skills and knowledge you to success. “Just do it. Just come in, have fun. Don't have big expectations, just enjoy it.” is Evans advise to anyone who is starting a foreign pass time or hobby. No one is going to be a professional when they start out, and people will make mistakes. Progress is not made if you refuse to start. Fear is a waste of time, and discomfort is just an excuse. Take the opportunity you are given and expect to mess up, expect to miss the mark, embrace being out of your comfort zone because that discomfort means personal growth. Evans proves that as she finely crafts her elegantly made artwork.