“I am most proud of the fact that I’m even in college. I’ll be quite honest.”
Samantha Ramirez has faced many obstacles that her classmates will never see. From losing her father the week of orientation to battling homesickness and financial struggles. Her path at Olivet has been anything but easy. But through every challenge she has persisted, driven by her love for media production, her family, and a dream that keeps her moving forward despite the odds.
A Journey of Persistence
While her first semester seemed to start off strong as she maintained straight A’s, her college transition quickly became overwhelming.
“It’s been a roller coaster,” she said. By her second semester, homesickness took over and her grades suffered. Although, the greatest challenge came before she took her first step on campus.
“My dad ended up dying the week of orientation, so it was very rough for me to even find a roommate that week, and having to plan out my whole college career while processing that death,” Ramirez said.
Despite her heartbreak, she chose to push forward, encouraged by the words of her mother.
“I want to quit at every opportunity, but my mom’s just like push through, push through,” she said. And she did. Ramirez has remained determined to complete her degree, proving that success can only be measured by your level of perseverance.
A Passion for Production
Ramirez always knew that she wanted to inspire others. Growing up, she dreamed of being a veterinarian one day, encouraged by her time in 4-H, where she raised rabbits and ducks on her family’s farm. As she explored her passion and path in her education, she developed other interests.
“Concerts always have a media crew, sports always have a media crew… It was kind of obvious at that point,” she said. “Join multimedia and do communications.”
That realization sparked a passion that has since become her driving force. Ramirez finds joy in creating seamless and engaging content that allows others to experience the thrill of an event like never before. Her greatest goal in life is to one day run a camera at the Olympics.
“She is fun to work with and she’s very good at what she does,” says Becky Ramirez, Samantha’s mother. “She has faced her own personal demons and just the fact that she gets up and faces the day with a smile and conquers life. I just love her for that.”
Why She Works Her Way
Beyond her love for media, Ramirez is deeply relationship-oriented. She values her honesty and loyalty towards others and greatly appreciates her close connections.
“I don’t like spilling people’s details,” she said. “I love my friends and I love my family. My family means everything to me.”
Along with her big heart, she also wishes those who might not know her as deeply understood the struggles she’s had to face during her time at Olivet.
“A lot of people come here with the financial means and the aid, and with a good mindset. But that’s not the truth for everyone,” she said. “You just don’t see it when you walk in the quad and you think ‘oh that person’s having a great time so obviously their college career has been great’. I wish people understood that about me and about others too.”
Looking Ahead
Though her future feels uncertain at times, Ramirez is determined to keep going,
“The future does scare me a lot, but I want to plan big things,” she said. With her determination, passion, and love of storytelling, there’s no doubt that she will be capturing moments for years to come. Maybe even one day at the Olympics, as she hopes.
As Ramirez continues her journey, her story should serve as a reminder that success isn’t always about finding the perfect path. Sometimes it’s about persevering through the struggles, staying true to your character, and capturing the moments that matter.
