By Eric Trent
Zak Hoskins made a promise to his mother, Pattijo, 14 years ago. He doesn’t make promises very often.
Hoskins promised he would finish school.
“That’s probably the only promise I’ve ever made – to anybody – and probably will ever,” Hoskins said.
Hoskins received a GED and, after spring quarter, he will be 15 credits-shy of his associate of arts degree.
The 14 years are up.
“Luckily, for me, I actually ended up liking college,” Hoskins joked. “Because all I ever did was work and I was kind of a hesher. You know, just like a partier.”
Pattijo Hoskins said, “10 years ago, my only wish was that he would end the self-destructive behavior he was displaying, and stop harming himself.
“But today I see a confident and caring man.”
Pattijo, 67, was diagnosed with Type-3 Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer nine months ago, and was hoping she would get to see him walk at graduation.
Zak asked for special permission to walk early.
Within a couple days, Jack Huls, Vice President of Student Services, approved Hoskins to walk during graduation.
“It’s all fairly bittersweet,” Hoskins said. “I would rather have completed my credits and then walked.
“I’m just doing this for my mom.
“It’s for a good reason. But not for the reasons I want to be doing it.”
It ended up being a fairly easy decision on the college’s part.
“Based upon the unique circumstances of Zak’s request, the College was happy to be able to grant the exception,” Huls said. “Commencement is not just about the students walking in the ceremony.
“It is also about the families, friends, and loved ones that have supported them on their journey being able to celebrate with them.”
Hoskins is hopeful his mother is able to attend graduation.
“I’m hoping so,” Hoskins said. “Her health is really poor right now.”
But if not, the college has a live streaming option for her to watch it online.
“She’ll probably make it there,” Hoskins said. “We just have to have some special accommodations for her.”
Nonetheless, Pattijo will finally be able to see her son succeed and fulfill his promise.
“She’s super happy about it,” Hoskins said. “Proud.”
Of the 604 Peninsula College students who are graduating this year, Zak and Pattijo’s story stands out from the rest.
“I take such pride in his accomplishments,” Pattijo said. “Knowing that he has and will continue to positively influence not only his and my life, but others around him.
“I can’t really express how much it means to me to see the wonderful changes in his life.
“I just know my heart is full.”