Abigail Villanueva stood before her fellow graduates at Victoria College’s commencement ceremony on May 17, delivering a deeply personal and inspiring message about the unpredictable paths that shape our lives.
Villanueva, who earned her associate degree in nursing, will soon take her board exams to become a licensed registered nurse. She plans to begin her nursing career in labor and delivery.
Reflecting on her unconventional academic journey, Villanueva shared how she first enrolled in college in 2013 but left after a semester due to homesickness. Subsequent academic struggles led her to step away from school altogether, during which time she met her husband, relocated to another state, and became a mother.
“I still felt like a failure academically,” said Villanueva. “So, I enrolled in school online and graduated with my bachelor’s in psychology two months before giving birth.”
Three years ago, her family settled in Victoria, where she completed nursing prerequisites and was admitted into the VC’s Associate Degree Nursing Program. She credited her success to a network of support, including family members, daycare staff, babysitters, and instructors.
In her speech, Villanueva emphasized the importance of evolving as individuals and not being confined by past choices or perceived limitations.
“The person you are today is not the person you were five or ten years ago,” she told the audience. “And you will likely be a completely different person over the next decade. But isn’t that the point? We are meant to evolve.”
She challenged the conventional question often asked of children — “What do you want to be when you grow up?” — proposing instead a deeper question: “Who do you want to be?”
“Don’t get hung up on the job title,” she said. “All you need to do is wake up, let your words and actions embody the person you want to be, and do the best you can that day.”
Using a metaphor of life as a drive filled with red lights, U-turns, and unexpected detours, she encouraged graduates to embrace change and trust the journey, quoting Steve Jobs, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.”
Villanueva closed with a message of gratitude and community, urging graduates to reflect on those who supported them and to pay that kindness forward.
“Be the carpool mom on the drive of your life, helping others get to where they need to be,” said Villanueva.
VC wants to hear from former and current Pirates. Visit VictoriaCollege.edu/ShareYourStory to submit a success story in honor of VC's 100th anniversary.