Pride-Filled Moment for Rural Pre-Medicine Grads
Pride-Filled Moment for Rural Pre-Medicine Grads
On the eve of Selkirk College Convocation, the Rural Pre-Medicine Program Class of 2019 gathered with family, friends and instructors at the Mir Centre for Peace for an intimate sharing of what it took to get this point in their post-secondary journey.
Sitting amongst the gathered guests at the afternoon tea on the Castlegar Campus were Andrea Chaves and Craig Swanson. The parents of 20-year-old Idaylia Swanson, the couple were beaming as instructors praised all the students for their diligent work in the classroom and the community.
Idaylia Swanson (left) with her parents Craig Swanson and Andrea Chaves at the Rural Pre-Medicine Program’s graduation tea that took place at the Mir Centre for Peace on the Castlegar Campus the day before Selkirk College Convocation 2019.
“I could not be more proud,” said mom Andrea. “First of all, to watch her grow up, but also to see her be so successful. That’s not just in school, it’s how she gives back to her community. She studies so hard, she volunteers, she works, everything is so rock solid with her. It’s amazing to see a young woman be like that… she inspires me.”
Born-and-raised in Castlegar, Idaylia is the first in her family to attend post-secondary. Her dad is a heavy duty mechanic and her mom is in electrical sales. The couple have three daughters, with Idaylia being the eldest.
“I was only 19 when we had her, it was an instant transition from teenagers to parents,” says Andrea. “We must have done something right, I am not sure what! She deserves most of the credit because she is amazing. We didn’t guide her in this direction, her drive is her drive. We obviously encouraged her and supported her, but we never had to push her. She has gotten to this stage in her life because of her drive.”
Idaylia is one of eight students who graduated from the three-year Rural Pre-Medicine Program in 2019, the third program cohort to reach the milestone since it was launched in 2014. All of the students have similar stories to tell of academic perseverance and dedication to their education.
Read the entire story at selkirk.ca.