Celestina Bascus

By Karen Lanier

Celestina Bascus is the definition of success in so many ways. But her childhood was no predictor of that success. She was born "dirt poor" in Big Spring. Her first language was Spanish, and she sometimes struggled in the English-speaking world. In elementary school, a teacher "just couldn't learn to say my name. So, one day the teacher said 'I'm going to call you Sally.'" For several years, she was known as Sally at school.

"I didn't realize it at the time, but I think that also affected my self-esteem. I know it is why I now go by 'Celestina.' It is my name and I am proud of it. I do not go by a shorter version."

At 16 she found herself pregnant. Her father insisted that she marry. So, young, pregnant and on welfare, Bascus struggled to attend high school and eventually earned her General Education Diploma (GED) from Midland College.

"I was a young Hispanic woman in a new marriage with a small child. I had no idea that I was capable of going to college. I had no self-esteem," she said.

Even though a GED advisor encouraged her to apply for the Abell-Hanger Scholarship to continue her education, she was hesitant. "I didn't think I was smart enough to go to college, but...I filled out the scholarship application and was accepted," Bascus said.

While attending Midland College, she had a conversation with someone from the nursing area. "I said I wanted to get into the nursing program. She suggested that I become a certified nurse assistant (CNA) first to see if I really liked nursing. I finished that certification in about a month and started working right away," Bascus said.

During this time, she divorced, remarried after two years, divorced soon after and ended up at Safe Place, formerly the Center for Battered Women and their Children.

"I knew I needed a better job to support my children. With the help of Midland Fair Havens–a home for single mothers trying to get on their feet"–Bascus said she was able to return to Midland College. "Fair Havens restored my life, period. They helped with tuition and fees for that first semester back at school. They helped with child care. I lived there for three years," Bascus said. "I absolutely credit Fair Havens with teaching me the lessons I needed to succeed in life."

Bascus said when she returned to Midland College, many people helped her, including Rita Nell Diffie, (now Vice President of Student Services), who was a counselor at the time. "Rita Nell always encouraged me. She listened to my problems and was always helpful. She helped with my class schedule. She was very caring," Bascus said.

Claudia Hinds, (now a Biology instructor), who worked in the testing center at that time, also helped. "She always took the time to tutor me...whether I asked for it or not. She wanted me to succeed," Bascus said. One of the most important things about her experience at Midland College is that she "never felt judged." Every time Bascus passed a test or finished another class, she gained more confidence and self-esteem. "Midland College opened the door for my education in a huge way," Bascus said.

Other doors opened as well. Bascus and her children moved into an apartment and then qualified for a Habitat for Humanity home. She moved into that house in November 2002. Later that month, she married again, and she and her husband, Marcus, now have an 18-month-old daughter, along with her two older sons.

During this time she attended UT Permian Basin with the financial help of a benefactor who sponsored her education because Bascus' grandmother was a long-time household employee. "Without her help, I'm not sure I could have afforded to continue my education. I am thankful to her and to my grandmother, whose hard work and ethics indirectly allowed me to get my degree," Bascus said.

Bascus graduated in December 2003 with a degree in Sociology with a minor in Criminology. For a while, she was the director of the Midland High Youth Center. During this time, she realized that she wanted to do more to help young people.

Busy with her family and working in a satisfying job, Bascus has found time to meet another goal. As a child, Bascus always wanted to be a Girl Scout, and in 2004 she became one. "I always wanted to be a Girl Scout. But growing up, we thought we needed a lot of money to join," she said.

As an adult Girl Scout she has served as a mentor for Camp CEO, a leadership and motivational camp for tenth-grade girls. The Girl Scouts of the Permian Basin work hard at this weekend retreat to help young women get professional training. "The girls are paired with professional business women who mentor them, helping these young women prepare for their chosen careers," Bascus said.

Once a young girl who needed encouragement and motivation, Bascus has found a place that allows her to encourage and motivate others. "I love my job. I like being in a leadership role. I feel that I am providing a path for other students," Bascus said.