Tykesha Govan was a teen-age mother, mature beyond her years, succeeding yet not finding happiness at high school. Young Bok Oh was in his 30's when he came to Arizona on a student visa from South Korea. Both students found success at Estrella Mountain Community College. As the school year wraps up, Govan and Oh are preparing to graduate. Govan is receiving her diploma from Agua Fria High School, earned through the Genesis West Program at EMCC. Oh has earned his associate's degree in hotel and restaurant management, and he is the first international student to graduate from the college.

Teen mom on a quest for success
When Tykesha Govan gave birth to her daughter at age 16, a lot of people had doubts about her future. "I always heard that having a daughter I wouldn't be able to do it," she said. "I proved a lot of people wrong. I have persistence and ambition."

Govan completed the Genesis West Program in May, with her high school diploma and half the credits she needs for her associate's degree. She is interested in nursing and mortuary science. "Deep down, I have a need to work in a mortuary. I would like to own one," the 18-year-old said. "I want to make sure people get good care. I want to counsel the families and be someone who cares." Govan always was a good student, but high school didn't seem like the best atmosphere for her as a mother, she said. "Being a teen mother takes a lot out of you when you're going to school. Even with my daughter I have always been able to come to school and keep my GPA [grade point average] up," she said. "In third grade, I missed one day, other than that, I had perfect attendance." Govan's grades were higher than the average Genesis West student at EMCC, she said, though she was admitted into the program because she had a baby. "I got into it so my schedule could revolve around my daughter," she said. "She changed me. She gave me reasons to want to live and be happy."

Govan is receiving several scholarships to continue her education, including EMCC's Faculty Award and the Darlene Arnold Nursing Scholarship. "I am the first Genesis West student to get the faculty scholarship," she said proudly. "I have a 3.5 GPA right now." Even on the heels of high school graduation Govan isn't thinking about being finished with school. "I'll finish my associate's degree and probably get into the nursing program at the Skill Center and I am looking at mortuary science programs," she said. "I want to be successful and provide for my daughter."

First international graduate
When Young Bok Oh came to Arizona to see the Seattle Mariners play during spring training, he had no plans to move. The warm climate and relaxed atmosphere lured the native Korean. "I thought this was a nice place. I was sick and tired of the rain," Oh said. The 34-year-old came to the United States from Korea 10 years ago. He went back to Korea for a couple of years, and then came back to the United States again. He has studied at colleges in California and Washington.

Coming to EMCC was nice because of the close-knit atmosphere, he said. "I was surprised to find I was the first international student here," he said. "Lots of people helped me out. I had a really, really good time." He earned his associate's degree in hotel and restaurant management with a 3.7 GPA.

Oh has worked in the fitness center on campus. His student visa allows him to do that, and he is hoping to be able to work a year in his field now. "My situation is different than the rest of the people because of my student visa," Oh said. "I would like to experience what I studied here and use my skills and knowledge."

As far as long-term plans go, Oh is torn over where he would like to live. "I miss something about Korea. All of my family lives there; I'm the only one here. Also, if I go back, I would miss it here. I have to think about it," he said.

There are a lot of international students in Seattle and across California, Oh said. He had not received special attention in those places. He has lived in Avondale for two years and he is grateful he moved there, he said. "This campus is incredible," Oh said. "Everything is so connected."