They told the story of Vera from the Channel 5 News in Los Angeles this morning, she was my Uncle Dennis' favorite weather woman, and she lived an inspirational life.
Her Mother was an immigrant, and she had 6 kids, and they lived in Garden Grove, California. Vera's Dad died when she was 3 years old, and Vera was raised by a poor immigrant Mother who was a widow with 6 kids. They were poor and Vera's Mom made her dresses to wear, her Mom made her own clothes. Vera learned English from playing with her neighbors. Vera attended Santa Ana Community College and that was what led her to her current job as a weather woman for the Channel 5 News. Her Mother still lives in Garden Grove. The Santa Ana Community College is giving her an award, and she is so proud. She has had quite a life, and she is living the American Dream.
I lived in Garden Grove right by where Vera grew up, and Garden Grove is nice, it is a good area. And we have some great community colleges, I attended the community college in the Antelope Valley before I went to acting school, and the community college was fantastic. Vera said that an award from the community college was like an Oscar for Vera, Santa Ana Community College helped her on the path to a good life.
Vera has done great. A lot of people have hard lives and go on to do great things, the secret is not to sit around and dwell on how poor you are or how bad your life is, instead of feeling sorry for herself, Vera went to community college and is doing great things.
Salute,
Tony V.
P.S. - Of note on community colleges, Fullerton Community College is training people for jobs at Disney now, people can go get their AA degree and then they can go right to work for Disney. Our community colleges are great places. ( Cal State Fullerton is also working together with Disney if people want to get a 4 year degree and then go to work for Disney. )
