Mother, daughter graduate Nash Community College together

ROCKY MOUNT — Dulce and Delia Escobar graduated from Nash Community College with their associate’s degree and high school equivalency diploma, respectively.

The Escobars were one of two parent-child pairings who graduated and had their names called together during the May commencement exercises last month.

“Graduating with my mom was so special to me, and I could see how all her hard work and late nights made it all worth it,” Dulce Escobar said. “This was something that she would have never thought she would finish because of how hard it was, but she pushed through and did it!”

She noted that her mother Delia is her role model.

“She is someone I will always look up to,” Dulce said.

DULCE ESCOBAR

Dulce’s decision to attend NCC was one rooted in family support.

“I wanted to attend NCC to help my parents take care of my younger siblings, and this allowed me to be at home with them while my parents could work and my mom could go to school,” said Dulce. “I wanted to be near my family and be able to support my mom in her studies. NCC was a perfect fit because it offered many different courses and I was able to take online courses, work and babysit. My older sister obtained her associate in arts in 2021 and was able to tell me firsthand her experience and how much she loved it.”

Dulce is 20 years old and graduated from Northern Nash High School in 2022. She graduated with her associate in arts from NCC and transferred to Barton College of Wilson in January 2024 to major in political science on a pre-law track to attend law school in the fall of 2025.

“While at NCC, I didn’t get the opportunity to take part in clubs and organizations because of my work schedule,” said Dulce. “Since transferring to Barton, I have switched to part-time and have served as a student ambassador, member of Pi Sigma Alpha (political science honors society) and named to the Barton College spring Dean’s List.”

She plans to pursue a new pathway for Hispanic students in the fall.

“Pursuing a political science degree with a pre-law track allows me to take one step closer to my dream of being an immigration lawyer,” said Dulce.

Her time at NCC is one she remembers for her personal experience, the experience of her family and especially her mother.

“I would just like to say that my family was such a big help and support when it came to my mom and me,” said Dulce. “Having that support system helped us so much with everything. This past year is one that we will never forget because after so many years, my mom was also able to get her citizenship! My dad is working on getting his green card as well! We just want to give all the glory to God and let everyone know that you can do it!”

Dulce said NCC provided her with the tools to be successful and a bucket of motivation along the way.

“My experience at NCC was amazing, and the staff was always willing to help me through everything. One moment that did stick out was when I was working full-time and trying to balance school as best as I could, and one professor, Professor Cherie Winstead, was able to help me understand what I was going through and told me to get some rest,” she explained. “I was so overwhelmed with different things going on in my life, and she helped me get through my last semester and to get rest; it is important. I loved all of my professors, and they are ones I will never forget.”

DELIA ESCOBAR

At 45 years old, Delia Escobar graduated from NCC with her high school equivalency diploma. She last attended school as an eighth grader in 1992.

“She has worked extremely hard to balance a full-time job and being a mom while pursuing her studies,” Dulce said. “I am so proud of my mom for overcoming all her obstacles and being my inspiration.”

Delia was born in Tamaulipas, Mexico, and came to the United States in 1989. She grew up in Homestead, Florida, before moving to North Carolina in 1996.

She has six children and also raises her grandson. Three of her children have attended college. Her daughter, Serena (second oldest), is attending East Carolina University pursuing speech pathology. Geovanna (third oldest) also attended East Carolina University and received her bachelor’s in Hispanic studies and is pursuing her master’s in education, while Dulce studies political science at Barton College.

Delia said completing high school has been a personal goal for her.

“I’ve felt stuck for so many years,” said Delia. “I was working different jobs that did not make me happy, and I knew there was more out there and more opportunities. Going back to school was a hard decision because I knew that I had so much going on, but it was something I wanted to do for myself.”

She wanted to set an example for her children and act true to her lessons to them about the importance of education.

“I want them to know that they can all do it and it can be hard, but do keep on going,” said Delia. “I could not get any jobs because I did not have my high school equivalency, and I knew that there was so much more out there in life and this would bring more opportunities for my family and me.”

It wasn’t all easy, and Delia endured trying times in her journey to completing her diploma.

“The times that felt hard were balancing working, going to school and being there for my kids because I wanted to be there for them as much as possible. It was sometimes difficult to do this, and I would even feel discouraged, but my family pushed me and helped me so much through my time at NCC,” she said. “My children helped me with math and understanding how to do certain things and taught me how to use a calculator. My children also helped me learn how to work a computer and were there for me when I studied. My husband helped me by always being by my side and always believing in me.”

Delia has some words of wisdom for any parent who’s contemplating returning to school.

“A piece of advice that I would give to a parent who is thinking of going back to get their high school diploma is to take the chance, do what you love and that it is never too late to make your dreams come true,” she said.

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