Texas Border Business
By Veronica Salinas
After more than a decade of putting her education on hold to raise her children, 54-year-old single mom Cristina Lopez walked across the stage just a day after her youngest son, Aaron Santos Lopez, and proudly earned their associate degrees from South Texas College.
What began as a personal goal for Cristina evolved into a powerful, shared journey marked by perseverance, faith and the unwavering strength of family. Mother and son leaned on each other through long days, late-night study sessions and the constant demands of work, school and life to reach the finish line side by side.
Cristina earned her Associate of Arts in Sociology, while Aaron graduated as a dual credit student from Achieve Early College High School and earned an Associate of Arts in Communication.
Her road to graduation was more than 10 years in the making. Cristina took college courses intermittently, always placing the needs of her two sons first. Whether it meant pausing her education to accommodate their schedules or simply being present in their lives, her commitment to motherhood never wavered.
“My priority has always been my kids,” she said. “I would enroll in two or three classes here and there, whenever our schedules allowed, but I never went full time because I needed to be present for them. I wanted to make sure they had the support and guidance they needed to succeed before I fully focused on myself.”
Their joint graduation is more than just a symbol of perseverance, it’s a reflection of the powerful bond that helped them navigate the challenges of balancing school, work and family.
While Cristina juggled her responsibilities as a full-time mom and college student, Aaron managed a demanding schedule of high school coursework, college classes and participation in the James Nikki Rowe High School band, where he plays the baritone.
“Balancing all of this isn’t something everyone can do,” Aaron said. “It was tough, especially when we were mentally and physically drained from all the responsibilities. But my mom and I pushed each other through those moments. We were always there to remind each other that this was the time to give our best, no matter how exhausted we were. We knew that our hard work would pay off and that kept us going even when it felt impossible.”
Cristina balanced the demands of motherhood and college by putting her son’s needs first, often shifting between roles with unwavering dedication.
”My priority was always making sure Aaron stayed on top of his schoolwork and his band responsibilities,” she said. “I’d help him with his assignments, remind him of his practice schedule and make sure he had everything he needed to succeed. Once that was settled, I’d switch gears, take off my ‘mom hat,’ and put on my ‘student cap.’ It wasn’t always easy, but Aaron would remind me why it was worth it, and his support made all the difference.”
Cristina credits much of her success to the mentorship and resources offered by the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA). The program provided training on financial management, stress coping techniques and more, while also offering emotional support when she needed it most.
“Being mentored by the VIDA program and the moms who guided me along the way was invaluable,” she said. “They helped keep me grounded through some of the toughest moments. Whenever I felt like giving up or lost sight of my goals, their wisdom, encouragement and faith reminded me that I wasn’t alone in this journey. Their unwavering support helped me stay focused and motivated, even when things felt overwhelming.”
Now, Cristina is setting her sights on the future. She plans to enroll this fall in STC’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership (BASOL) program, building on her 15+ years of secretarial experience to advance in the workplace.
“This degree will help me climb the ladder in an office setting,” she explained. “I’m excited to keep going.”
Aaron, meanwhile, is preparing for the next chapter of his academic journey as he heads to Texas A&M University Kingsville to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Communication. With a passion for meaningful dialogue and critical thinking, he is excited to dive deeper into a field that aligns with his strengths and interests.
“I love debating and understanding how people think,” he said. “I’ve always been curious about how messages shape opinions and how people connect through conversation. The communication field feels like the perfect fit because it allows me to use my voice, challenge ideas and learn how to express myself in impactful ways.”
Reflecting on their shared experience, Aaron said the journey brought him and his mom closer than ever.
“This journey with my mom is something I didn’t know I needed,” he said. “Going through college together brought us closer in a way I never expected. I got to see firsthand how determined she was, not just to finish, but to truly succeed. I recognized the same drive in her that I saw in myself. We didn’t just aim to get by; we challenged each other to go above and beyond. That shared determination made the experience even more powerful.”
Cristina hopes her story inspires other parents to take the leap and pursue their own education.
“It’s never too late,” she said. “Don’t let age, fear, or timing hold you back. There will always be challenges, whether it’s raising kids, working full-time or feeling overwhelmed, but if you take it one step at a time, it’s possible. I did this not just to show my children what’s possible, but to finally do something for myself and I’m proud of that.”
For Cristina and Aaron Lopez, graduation isn’t just the end of a chapter, it is the celebration of resilience, love and the power of pursuing a dream together.
