Gift Legacy eNewsletter 03/09/22

A STORY OF PERSEVERANCE Sonia Baltazar proves that you can do it all

In the midst of a global pandemic, Sonia Baltazar, 35, of Gonzales enrolled at Hartnell College to pursue her degree in Early Childhood Education. The mother of three girls (12, 9, 6) felt it was the perfect opportunity because of the online and asynchronous class offerings the college afforded her.

“Being out of school for 16 years, I felt, would be difficult,” she said. “But it was so helpful to have the option to complete my assignments in the evenings after everyone was in bed.”

Sonia is part of the MAESTROs Program, a collaboration between Hartnell and CSU Monterey Bay that provides a pathway to a teaching degree and teaching credential. She looks forward to graduating Hartnell this fall and transferring to CSUMB to complete her educational goals.

“I want to teach in middle school and focus on 4th  and 5th graders,” she said. “I feel that is a good age to instill in youth the love of learning and of community.”

Sonia is also a wife, a sports coach, and an instructional aide at Sacred Heart school where her children attend.

Baltazar’s husband is an educator. He is a math teacher and holds a master’s degree in education. They met while at Gonzales High School and have been together ever since.

Over the last few years, while the entire family was on Zoom taking classes or teaching classes, connectivity was sometimes a challenge. But the pandemic brought on additional obstacles to her family.

“My hours were cut due to COVID and we had two medical scares,” she said. ”I found myself having a major surgery alone in a hospital without anyone to visit me…one of my daughters developed appendicitis and that was difficult to deal with as well.”

Sonia and her family stayed optimistic and kept a positive demeanor. Emergency support through Hartnell enabled them to receive the necessary assistance to cover the medical bills, to have food in the house, to cover their rent, and more.

“If it wasn’t for your help and the generosity of donors and supporters, we couldn’t have survived this pandemic,” she said.

Through it all, Sonia has managed to keep her family active with outdoor activities and family time. She said that making the most out of a bad situation is a daily goal for her and her husband.

“You know, I have six eyes looking at me for guidance each day,” she said. “My girls inspire me and I hope I do the same for them and show them that in this world there are opportunities and lots of people who want to help you advance in life.”

In photo – Sonia with her daughter Seleen (12) at Hartnell College Library.