I am Julio C. Reyes, a graduate from Bassett High School. I decided to attend Patrick Henry Community College for two reasons. First was because it was much cheaper, and I will obtain the same two year education as if I were to have attended a four year university. Secondly, I was not ready to leave my family. I realized my senior year that I still had some maturing to do. I needed guidance to ease my way into what is the real world. My parents had started to let me make my own decisions and learn what the repercussions would be first hand. 

After making my own decisions and seeing the outcomes, I feel now that I am ready to transfer to a four-year university and leave my family. I am currently a sophomore at Patrick Henry Community College and I will be finishing my general studies degree this spring. After completing my associate’s degree, I will transfer to George Mason University in the fall of 2010, where I plan to pursue a bachelor’s, master’s and doctorates in two majors, administration of justice and global affairs. Within the administration of justice major I will be working on a double concentration in homeland security and biodefense.

The two day trip to Richmond was great! I truly enjoyed the ride and discussions we had on the way up there and back. I am honored to have been part of this important event. Our itinerary consisted of meeting and talking to Senator Roscoe Reynolds, Delegate Ward Armstrong, Delegate Don Merricks, and Senator Robert Hurt. Talking to each one of these political figures was an honor in itself. They demonstrated an interest in education and a commitment to its importance. Also we had the privilege to attend a subcommittee meeting where budget cuts were discussed. This was exhilarating and very informative. I did not expect to see politics this close up in my life, especially as a college sophomore, but I was glad that I was a part of something that is very important to me – the support of education. I am glad to have been a part of Every Day is Community College Day and it has left an imprint in my life which I will never forget.