Photos provided courtesy of Julia Ann Sanchez-Lizalde.
My journey has been shaped by the powerful example of my parents. My father joined a student organization at age 16 where he learned teamwork, leadership and problem-solving. Those skills launched him into a 46-year career in retail management, beginning at Safeway. Watching him build his career with grit and grace taught me that success is best earned through persistence.
My mother’s story has been equally inspiring. She began working in the fields, harvesting crops. Determined to change her future, she pursued office and financial training and climbed the ladder to become a Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in the financial sector. Her belief in education and determination to rise above her circumstances taught me that our choices — not our beginnings — best shape our outcomes.
Their examples from my parents gave me a mindset of resilience. I’ve learned to see challenges not as roadblocks but as opportunities to grow. Every setback taught me something new and brought me closer to the person I wanted to become.
One of the most defining chapters of my own journey began thanks to the persistence of Professor Manriquez at Doña Ana Community College (New Mexico). He encouraged me — again and again — to join SkillsUSA. At first, I didn’t think I belonged. But his belief in me never wavered. Eventually, I said yes. And that simple “yes” changed everything for me.
Through SkillsUSA, I gained technical skills and the confidence to push past my comfort zone. I learned to perform under pressure and strive for excellence. I was proud to win a gold medal in architectural drafting, but the greatest rewards were the people I met and the stories I heard — stories that sparked even bigger dreams for myself.
At the state competition, I met a principal architect who shared how he worked while earning his degree. His story resonated deeply. Until then, I had planned to stop after earning my associate’s degree. But his example made me realize I was capable of more.
I returned to Professor Manriquez and told him I wanted to keep going. His response was immediate: “Absolutely yes.” With his support and the inspiration I had found through SkillsUSA, I made a bold new plan — to pursue a bachelor’s degree at Arizona State University and then continue on to a master’s degree.
This new path wasn’t part of my original plan, but now I can’t imagine my future any other way. SkillsUSA didn’t just help me grow; it helped me reimagine what’s possible for my future.
Looking back, I see that my story reflects many influences: the work ethic of my parents, the encouragement of a mentor who believed in me and the life-changing impact of SkillsUSA. I’ve learned that success isn’t just about achievement — it’s about resilience, vision, and the courage to keep going when things get hard.
Thanks to all of them, I now define success as the ability to turn adversity into opportunity and to keep reaching higher, even when the path isn’t clear. This journey has only just begun — but I’m walking it with confidence, purpose and hope.
