The Bittersweet Dream: A First-Generation Mexican-American Journey to Graduation

BY KARINA QUIROZ ’25

For many students, college graduation is a milestone that represents years of hard work, sleepless nights, and personal sacrifices. For first generation Mexican-American students, however, the journey to earning a degree is often defined by much more: navigating the cultural divide between home and school, overcoming financial barriers, and perhaps most poignantly, understanding that their success is not just their own — it’s the culmination of their family’s dreams, struggles and sacrifices. It is a bittersweet journey, where pride is interwoven with the weight of responsibility to those who paved the way.

As a first-generation Mexican-American, Isaias Zamudio ’25 stands on the brink of a life-changing milestone: he is about to become the first in his family to earn a college degree. Zamudio’s story is one of resilience, sacrifice and triumph. Though his success fills him with immense pride, it also carries with it a realization of the challenges faced by his family to make this moment possible. Behind every soccer game, every late-night study session, and every exam conquered lie the quiet resilience of his parents, Reyna and Isaias Sr., who endured relentless struggles to open doors their son could walk through. Zamudio’s journey to graduation was not only about his personal academic success, but also about honoring the dreams and sacrifices of his family.

The Early Years: Learning the Value of Hard Work

Zamudio’s childhood was similar to that of many children of immigrant parents. While many of his peers spent their afternoons playing video games or socializing with friends, Zamudio’s life was centered around helping his family make ends meet. His parents, both Mexican immigrants, worked tirelessly to provide for their family, and Zamudio was always ready to pitch in.

“When I was growing up, I knew my life was different from my friends,” Zamudio reflects. “While they would come home and relax, I’d be out helping my dad with landscaping work, doing whatever I could to help him finish before practice.”

His father, Isaias Sr., owns his own business as a landscaper, often taking on multiple jobs a day to keep food on the table. Watching his two older brothers help out their dad when he was growing up, Zamudio felt a strong sense of duty to help. He would assist with tasks like mowing lawns, trimming hedges, and carrying heavy equipment — work that left him physically exhausted. But despite the weariness, he never resented it.

“I never was upset at my dad about having to help out,” he says. “I always told myself, ‘It’s just one house we need to finish, and then I can go to soccer practice.’”

Zamudio’s parents instilled in him a sense of responsibility, a work ethic grounded in dedication and perseverance. Even though he had to sacrifice many of the carefree moments of childhood, he understood that his parents’ sacrifices were not just for their own survival, but for him to have opportunities they never had.

Zamudio’s favorite memories growing up were of playing soccer. Soccer became an outlet, offering him not only a chance to enjoy his youth, but also an avenue for his future. As a passionate soccer player, he pushed himself to excel, practicing tirelessly after helping with the landscaping work. Little did he know that his dedication to the sport would later open doors to higher education and change the course of his life.

The Soccer Scholarship: A New Chapter Begins

In 2020, after years of hard work on and off the field, Zamudio received a scholarship to play soccer at Point. This scholarship was not just an opportunity to advance in the sport he loved; it was also a chance to fulfill his academic dreams and make his family proud.

“It was an overwhelming moment when I got the scholarship,” Zamudio says. “I felt like I had a new sense of purpose. I wasn’t just doing this for me anymore; I was doing it for my whole family.”

At Point, Zamudio found a place where his passion for soccer and his pursuit of an education could coexist. However, as with many first-generation students, the transition from high school to college was not an easy one. Zamudio soon realized that college would be a much different experience from anything he had encountered before. He faced an academic challenge that was worsened by the pressure of being away from home and navigating a new, unfamiliar environment.

“My first year was tough,” Zamudio admits. “I struggled with Zoom classes and felt overwhelmed at times. It was difficult to adjust, especially with being away from home and trying to balance soccer and academics.”

The pressure he felt to perform was immense — not just for himself, but for his parents, who had sacrificed so much for him to have this chance. However, the experience taught him valuable lessons in perseverance. In his second year, Zamudio made a decision to take his academic performance more seriously. He became determined to improve, and he began seeking help in ways that were unfamiliar and difficult for him.

In Mexican culture, there is often a strong emphasis on self-reliance. Asking for help, especially academic help, is sometimes seen as a sign of weakness. For Zamudio, reaching out to professors and peers for support was a challenge, as it went against the ingrained values of independence his family had taught him. But as he navigated his way through the complexities of college life, he came to understand that seeking help was not a sign of weakness — it was a strategy for success.

“I had to learn that it was okay to ask for help. At first, I felt like I should be able to do it on my own, but I realized that reaching out to others — whether it was my professors, tutors, or teammates — made all the difference. It was truly a humbling experience, but it helped me grow,” Zamudio explains.

This mindset shift became a turning point for Zamudio. He became more focused, more determined, and more open to the resources around him. By his second year, his grades had improved, and he felt a sense of control over his academic journey. More than just surviving, Zamudio was thriving.

Leadership on the Field: Becoming Captain

As Zamudio settled into his new life at Point, he continued to excel in soccer. His dedication to the sport, combined with his growing leadership abilities, earned him a spot as team captain in his senior season.

“Being captain of the team is an honor,” Zamudio says, his voice filled with pride. “I love playing with these guys, and I want to push them to be better every day — both on and off the field. I want them to know that the work we put in here matters. That their success is not just for them. It’s for their families, their communities, and for God. Everything we do should be for something greater than ourselves.”

As captain, Zamudio took on the responsibility of not only leading his teammates in games and practices, but also mentoring them and encouraging them to maintain high standards in their studies. He understood the importance of showing them that it was possible to balance academics, athletics and their faith.

A Personal Relationship with God

As Zamudio’s college career progressed, he found himself growing in ways he hadn’t anticipated. The combination of his childhood faith, the Christian environment at Point, and the support of his family helped him develop a personal relationship with God that became the anchor of his life.

“It’s hard to explain, but I feel like I’ve grown closer to God over the years,” Zamudio says. “I’ve learned that faith is not just about going through the motions — it’s about having a real relationship with God, one where you can talk to him, ask for guidance, and feel his presence.”

This personal relationship with God has been transformative for Zamudio. It has influenced how he handles challenges, how he treats others and how he views success. Graduation, which he had once seen as a personal achievement, now feels like a communal victory — a triumph not just for him, but for his entire family and their shared faith.

“I know that God has guided me every step of the way,” Zamudio says, his eyes welling up with emotion. “Every struggle, every triumph — it has all been apart of his plan. And now, I’m ready to continue that journey, not just as a student, but as a man of faith.”

The Role of Family and Sacrifice

Throughout his college journey, Zamudio’s parents remained his biggest champions. Despite the financial strain of having a child in college, Reyna and Isaias Sr. worked tirelessly to ensure that their son had everything he needed to succeed. They sacrificed their own dreams and comfort for the chance to give their children opportunities they never had.

“‘Échele ganas, mijo,’ my dad would always say,’” Zamudio remembers. “‘Quiero lo mejor para ti el la vida.’” (“Give it your all, son. I want the best for you in life.”) Those words became a mantra for Zamudio, a constant reminder that his success was not just his own — it was a reflection of the sacrifices his parents made for him.

Zamudio’s parents had always dreamed for a better life for their children. They understood that education was the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and building a brighter future. Every sacrifice they made was with the hope that their son would one day graduate from college, and in many ways, this milestone is as much theirs as it is his.

As Zamudio approaches graduation in May, he stands at the intersection of his past and future, fully aware that this moment represents the dreams and sacrifices of his parents, who came to this country with little and gave everything for their children. “This degree isn’t just for me,” Zamudio says. “It’s for my parents, my brothers, my community and every person who has helped me become the man I have grown to today. I know the struggles my family went through to get me here, and I want to make them proud.”

Zamudio’s journey is a reflection of the broader experience of many first-generation Mexican-American students. They navigate the complexities of cultural identity, face systemic challenges and overcome financial barriers to achieve their educational goals. For them, college graduation is not just a personal achievement; it is the fulfillment of a dream that has been passed down though generations.

A Story of Resilience, Hope and Faith

The story of Isaias Zamudio is a story of hope, resilience, and unwavering dedication to God and his family. It is a reminder that success is often shaped by the sacrifices and struggles of those who come before us. His journey has not only been about earning a degree; it has been about honoring the dreams and sacrifices of his family.

“Looking back, I see how everything has fallen into place, even the struggles,” Zamudio says. “There were moments when I didn’t think I would make it, but I learned that challenges are part of God’s plan. I’m not where I am because of just my own efforts. I’m here because of my parents, my community, my faith, and because God has been with me every step of the way.”

For Zamudio, graduation will be a bittersweet moment filled with pride, gratitude and a deep sense of responsibility to continue making his family proud. The journey is far from over, but with the lessons of resilience, sacrifice and hope that he has learned along the way, Zamudio is ready to face the future with confidence and determination.

Karina Quiroz ’25, of Mableton, Georgia, is a biology major and soccer player at Point. She wrote this feature article for a Media Writing course.