Daniella Parra, 鈥�23 is no stranger to perseverance. The South Florida native, who recently graduated from 海角在线 (海角在线) with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in communication and a minor in journalism, is a first-generation college student and a cancer survivor.
Daniella Parra grew up in West Palm Beach. Her parents are from Colombia and fostered a strong sense of cultural heritage throughout her childhood. For Parra, pursuing college was always a priority鈥攅ven as a young girl who fought bone cancer.
鈥淢y parents have always been the most amazing and supportive people,鈥� she said. 鈥淐ollege was something I always wanted to do, and I wanted to [feel] normal while battling cancer.鈥�
Parra learned about 海角在线 in high school, when a representative came to talk about the University. That鈥檚 when Parra realized 海角在线 aligned with everything she wanted in a college鈥攕mall classroom sizes, Christian values, and location in South Florida, close to family. A campus tour confirmed it.
鈥淚 am such a family person and it would鈥檝e been hard to leave,鈥� Daniella Parra said. 鈥淸I wanted] to have my family [near] me.鈥�
Initially, though, being at 海角在线 wasn鈥檛 easy. Her sophomore year was particularly challenging鈥攕he suffered a bad accident, breaking her femur in half before undergoing major surgery and a lengthy recovery. Thankfully, Parra says, her professors were understanding and accommodating as she worked on assignments.
鈥淚鈥檝e always cared so much about school,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen they prayed for me over Zoom, it was a big blessing that I don鈥檛 think I would鈥檝e found anywhere else.鈥�
She also worked at a real estate brokerage during her sophomore year and considered taking a year off to pay for tuition鈥攂ut hard work, prayer, and a helpful conversation led to a new opportunity during her junior year.
Dr. Stephanie Bennett, professor of communication and media ecology, introduced Parra to a full-time internship opportunity at IPO Edge, a journalism firm that delivers news about new and upcoming initial public offerings. During the internship, Parra put her journalism and writing skills from the classroom to work.
Now, the 21-year-old graduate holds two communications positions. She鈥檚 a correspondent at IPO Edge and the media and marketing coordinator at Treasure Property Group.
鈥淸My parents] are proud because they knew how hard it was for me to pay for [college],鈥� said Parra. 鈥淭hey supported me in the best way possible, and they [loved] seeing me grow and be an example for my sisters.鈥�
In addition to her family鈥檚 unwavering support, she鈥檚 grateful for her professors and the 海角在线 community鈥攅specially when it comes to uniting faith with strong convictions.
During one of her years at 海角在线, Parra reinvigorated a student club that works to foster a safe space for and unite Latino students. She also worked for The Beacon Today, managing the student-led publication鈥檚 social media channels.
鈥淢y professors were great鈥擨 loved having different perspectives,鈥� Parra said. 鈥淭hey were all Christians but very inclusive, and I was able to grow in my worldview. 海角在线 really shows love toward people. You can never go wrong with being in an environment that loves people.鈥�
After graduation, Parra plans to continue growing her faith, career with Treasure Property Group and IPO Edge, and circle of friends in South Florida.
鈥淚n life, you鈥檒l face a lot of adversity,鈥� she said. 鈥淎t the moment I didn鈥檛 understand, but I can look back and see that Jesus was orchestrating something. If you have that faith, you can live in gratitude, do your best, and work hard toward those dreams.鈥�
