First-Generation Students Reflect on Their St. John’s Experience in Essay Contest

St. John’s University celebrated the unique experiences of its first-generation student population in a new essay contest that invited students to share stories of being the first in their families to attend college. The essays highlighted the first-generation students’ challenges, triumphs, and aspirations; with first-generation defined as those whose parents or guardians have not completed a four-year college degree.

The contest was open to all first-generation undergraduates and sought to amplify the voices of  a growing part of the St. John’s community. Essays were required to be a minimum of 750 words long. The first-place winner received a $200 gift card to the campus bookstore; second place, a $100 gift card; and third place, a $50 card.

The essay contest was among several activities designed to celebrate the University’s first-generation students. National First-Generation College Celebration Day is celebrated annually on November 8.

“We have a good number of first-generation students here at St. John’s, and  we must celebrate them as the motivated people they are,” said Joni O’Hagan, Executive Director, Center for Student Success. “These characteristics, as well as the desires for upward social mobility and to help their families, are present across our first-generation student population.”

Teodita Cabral, 19, a sophomore majoring in Philosophy at St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, earned first place in the “Continuing Undergraduates” category. Her essay reflected on the struggles and criticisms faced by first-generation students. It encouraged her fellow students to accept these challenges to represent their parents in the best way possible.

Teodita decided to participate because she loves to write and reflect on her life experiences. Being a first-generation student offers her an opportunity to mentor future generations about higher education, she said.

She said “being a first-generation student means you have it harder than most students because you are the first to discover what higher education is like. It also means having the responsibility to teach the next generations to follow in your footsteps.”

Erick Lin, 18, a first-year Radiologic Sciences major in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, shared a similar experience. For Erick, being a first-generation student means carrying your family’s dreams and aspirations while  pursuing your path.

Erick’s essay reflected on his journey growing up as the oldest sibling in a Chinese immigrant family, and how that has shaped his college experience. He wrote about the “heavy burden” of responsibility placed on him to navigate a new culture and language. He recalled passing his English as a Second Language (ESL) program, and how it empowered him to help support his family.

“When I passed ESL, something started to change not only in my education, but also in my ability to support my family and grow into a more confident and capable person,” Erick said. “What I learned through all this is that barriers can become bridges if one applies perseverance and flexibility.”

Other winners included students Valeria Benito, Shuborno Hassin, Joanne Maniatis, Geovanni Peralta, and Tiffany Tyson. In addition to the Center for Student Success, the essay contest and other first-generation student events were organized by the Office of Alumni Relations, Office of Equity and Inclusion, Office of First-Year Mentor Programs, St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, particularly the Departments of Core Studies and English, the University Library and the University Writing Center.

“Reading the essays from our contestants, you can tell that their stories touch on how New York City and St. John’s helped them accomplish their goals,” Ms. O’Hagan said. “At the same time, it shows how our University helps students every step of the way, providing them with quality education and unique opportunities, which are at the core of our mission.”