A Place to Grow, A Future to Build
Lydia is a freshman at the University of Southern Indiana, pursuing a degree in diagnostic medical sonography and a minor in radiology.
This fall semester marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Lydia. As a freshman at the University of Southern Indiana, she is pursuing a degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Minor in Radiology. She is combining her interest in healthcare with a fascination for the technology behind ultrasounds and medical imaging. While excited about the independence and opportunities that college will bring, Lydia is also embracing the challenge of building a new community and stepping outside her comfort zone.
Although she was very young when her family moved into their home, she remembers a house filled with cousins, bonfires, holiday decorations, backyard soccer games, birthday parties, and family gatherings. The home was large enough for extended family to come together and create new traditions together.
As she reflects on the role stable housing plays in a family’s life, Lydia believes home should be a safe place where people can be themselves, find support, and recharge. “I love just being in my room away from my parents and younger sister who talks a lot. There’s where I study, make up dances, and be to myself if I need to.”
Throughout high school, Lydia stayed involved in creative extracurriculars. She has always loved dancing, particularly to Spanish music. She participated in show choir and winter guard, where she received a “Best Example” award and helped her team place in competition. She credits her hardworking parents with inspiring her commitment to saving money. Earnings from her jobs in high school allowed her to purchase a used car, giving her another sense of independence.
Now, Lydia is focused on building a future that reflects the values she learned at home. With a positive outlook, a strong work ethic, and a passion for helping others through healthcare, she is eager to make the most of her college experience. Her journey illustrates how a stable home can provide more than shelter. It can create the foundation for confidence, personal growth, and the pursuit of goals that once seemed out of reach.
