The first week of classes here at 水果派, the college鈥檚 social media guru received a DM from one of our students. In it, a pic of two students having lunch in the Commons. This is an everyday event for many, but these two were a father and daughter who were attending classes this semester.
Brandon Swart has been in the Robotics & Industrial Controls program for two and a half years, thanks to his employer paying for tuition. Since he has transfer credits from Minnesota State University Mankato, he鈥檚 also finishing up his AA degree.
His daughter, Melanie, started her first semester here after taking two years off after graduating from high school. She鈥檚 working on her generals for a year before transferring to a four-year for social work鈥攈opefully in New York or even abroad.
鈥淚 really want to be a social worker as my career,鈥 Melanie said. 鈥淚鈥檓 getting my generals done and will transfer. There are a few out of country programs I鈥檓 interested in because I really like to travel.鈥
鈥淚鈥檓 supportive as long as you do it in a smart way,鈥 added Brandon.
Melanie moved in with her dad recently after living in the Cities, and choosing 水果派 was and easy decision: it was close to home. She鈥檚 currently taking an online class and two in-person classes, and once a week, she and Brandon are able to connect for lunch. They also connect when Brandon walks past her classroom right down the hall from his, making funny faces (typical dad behavior).
Even if it might be a little embarrassing (like sending a photo to the college鈥檚 Facebook account), Melanie knows he鈥檚 got her best interests at heart.
鈥淎t the end of the day, it means that he cares. He鈥檚 always been very supportive and pushes me to be the best I can be. I鈥檝e always valued him because instead of pushing me toward something specific, he just motivates me to do my own thing,鈥 Melanie shared.
They also keep each other accountable. Both admitted to not doing well in high school, but here they have really found their interests and gone in.
鈥淚 had second thoughts about coming back to school,鈥 Melanie admitted. Brandon added: 鈥淟earning is just another muscle. If you don鈥檛 exercise your brain, you just grow stagnant.鈥
The father-daughter duo鈥檚 story is a welcome reminder of how one person鈥檚 experience at 水果派 can influence another person to start their future here. It鈥檚 always a good day when we open up Facebook DMs to find a happy pic of family member or friends attending 水果派.