student returns to school despite tragedy
James Choy
Issue date: 6/4/07 Section: Graduation Special
Leah Paula Gasser-Ordaz will graduate this June from Mt. SAC and will continue with her education by transferring to UCLA and getting her degree in Political Science/Philosophy.
On Sept. 17th in 2005 Gasser-Ordaz was entering UCLA as a freshman--but only stayed for a quarter at the campus. Earlier during that same month, Gasser-Ordaz lost her mother due to cancer.
"School started late September and I couldn't handle that so I wanted to be home with my family," she said. "I had a lot of grief so I just left UCLA and stayed for one quarter and commuted but it was stressful and too hard for me. Glasser Ordaz then came to Mt. SAC to finish up her first two years and then will re-transfer back to UCLA.
Gasser-Ordaz said she is guaranteed free entry back to UCLA as long as she leaves with a 2.9 GPA and has a good standing with her studies. She currently has a 4.0 GPA.
With her academics, the family support that Gasser-Ordaz has surrounding her strengthens her drive in achieving her goals. But she always found learning to be enjoyable.
"My family and friends sought me as hard-working," she said. "I was always really oriented towards school. i like reading and learning."
Gasser-Ordaz enjoys reading especially and is also passionate about politics.
"It's probably why I'm studying it as my major," she said.
Gasser-Ordaz will continue her studies obtaining her degree and hopefully a career as an environmental lawyer.
On Sept. 17th in 2005 Gasser-Ordaz was entering UCLA as a freshman--but only stayed for a quarter at the campus. Earlier during that same month, Gasser-Ordaz lost her mother due to cancer.
"School started late September and I couldn't handle that so I wanted to be home with my family," she said. "I had a lot of grief so I just left UCLA and stayed for one quarter and commuted but it was stressful and too hard for me. Glasser Ordaz then came to Mt. SAC to finish up her first two years and then will re-transfer back to UCLA.
Gasser-Ordaz said she is guaranteed free entry back to UCLA as long as she leaves with a 2.9 GPA and has a good standing with her studies. She currently has a 4.0 GPA.
With her academics, the family support that Gasser-Ordaz has surrounding her strengthens her drive in achieving her goals. But she always found learning to be enjoyable.
"My family and friends sought me as hard-working," she said. "I was always really oriented towards school. i like reading and learning."
Gasser-Ordaz enjoys reading especially and is also passionate about politics.
"It's probably why I'm studying it as my major," she said.
Gasser-Ordaz will continue her studies obtaining her degree and hopefully a career as an environmental lawyer.
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