Determined to Make It

The School of Social Work

Hector DeLeon:
Determined to Make It

³I was forbidden by my parents to continue my education past high school,² says Hector DeLeon. One reason was because DeLeon came from a family of eight brothers and sisters. Still another was that his parents were farm workers who migrated seasonally from Texas to Washington. ³My father insisted that we all help work in the fields. We had no social life and no time to study,² he says, ³Since my father had little more than a third grade education himself, he did not encourage us academically in any way.²

As a result, DeLeon had to repeat first grade and constantly struggled to keep up during his elementary school years. It wasn¹t until his sophomore year in high school that he realized his potential. Even though DeLeon had to repeat his algebra class, his teacher told him that he was college material. From then on, he was determined to obtain a college degree.

On the other hand, DeLeon¹s father urged him to be content with a high school diploma. Several of his siblings had dropped out of school before 11th grade.

³Since my parents were not supportive of my going to college and I was determined to go, there was only one thing to do. I secretly applied to Central Washington University; I even forged my dad¹s signature on the forms,² admits DeLeon.

However, the night before DeLeon left for CWU, he sat down with his father to talk. ³Suddenly my dad realized that I was going to college, no matter what,² DeLeon says. ³After my father explained why he felt the way he did, the tension eased. From then on, both my parents were supportive of my efforts to obtain an education.²

After two years at CWU, DeLeon was failing some of his classes and was put on probation. ³I came back home and my family said, ŒYou tried it and it didn¹t work.¹² That was the last thing he wanted to hear. He then transferred to Heritage College.

During his junior year, DeLeon met Standley Gellineau, who was recruiting students for the master¹s of social work program at Walla Walla College. ³That man really impressed me! At that time, I was considering three universities, but Dr. Gellineau¹s presentation was the most awesome one,² DeLeon says.

Soon, DeLeon applied and was accepted into the master¹s of social work program. Following his graduation from college, he took three master¹s classes at WWC. DeLeon did well in two of them but when he received a failing grade (a C-) in the other class, he was temporarily discouraged.

³My advisor Susan Smith was wonderful from the first time I met her. She was there for me when I had questions and needed help,² recalls DeLeon. ³Basically, the entire staff was supportive. They made me feel at home and picked me up when I was down.² No doubt, all the support, hard work, and sheer determination paid off. In June 2000, DeLeon¹s instructors, friends, and entire family proudly watched him receive his master¹s of social work degree during the hooding ceremony.

Currently, DeLeon is a bilingual therapist at Nueva Esperanza Counseling Center in Pasco, Wash. One of his coworkers is Angie Vigil (pictured), a 2000 bachelor¹s of social work graduate and now a case manager at the center.

Back to Contents