By Mike Drake
Carly DelaBarre’s eyes swelled with tears as she spoke about a phone call with her father, “I called my dad crying. I’m the first person in my family to get a Masters Degree.”
DelaBarre started earning college credits while still in high school through the Running Start and Upward Bound programs.
She said, “I’m first generation on my mother’s side, and low income on both of my parents’ side, so that’s why I was able to be in the Upward Bound program.”
After she graduated high school, she transferred to Oregon State University. She said, “I started at Peninsula College in 2011 through Upward Bound and Running Start when I was a junior in high school. When I graduated, I went straight to Oregon State. I didn’t take any breaks.”
DelaBarre spent four years at O.S.U. and earned two degrees.
She said, “When I went to Oregon State, I had enough credits to ultimately get two degrees in the same amount of time that most people only get one. I had two majors and two minors. My majors are in English and Education and my minors are in Spanish and Writing. I was taking 19 to 20 credits per quarter. I only need 12 more credits and I’ll have my Masters Degree in Teaching and Learning with Technology, and I’m only 23. I’m learning how to be an online teacher. I want to help other people be successful.”
She continued, “I would like to teach English at a high school. P.C. showed me how great community colleges are, and I would not be here today if it weren’t for Running Start, Upward Bound and Peninsula College.”
DelaBarre started her academic career with the Upward Bound program, and now she is the program’s coordinator.
DelaBarre has not taken any breaks during her academic career.
She attended classes and worked during the summer months.
She said, “I work three jobs, and I put in about 75 hours per week. I am now the Upward Bound Program Coordinator, and I tutor for Spanish and English. This hasn’t been an easy journey, but I knew in my heart that this is what I needed to do. Not at one point did I ever challenge what I love to do. It’s all mental.”