歪歪漫画

BEMIDJI 鈥� On Sept. 9, 1979, Brandi Schiefert appeared on the front page of the Bemidji Pioneer newspaper.

At 18 months old, she waited patiently for her dad, Marlin, to come out of class at Bemidji State University. Fast forward nearly 50 years and she would soon become a BSU alum herself.

Majoring in elementary education with a minor in child psychology, now-Brandi Ochoa looks back fondly at the past four years as graduation quickly approaches.

鈥淚 went to (graduation) rehearsal and I got pretty emotional thinking, 鈥楬oly crow, I did it,鈥欌�� Ochoa said. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 believe after all this time, it鈥檚 finally here. It鈥檚 pretty surreal.鈥�

Ochoa was born in Bemidji and her dad鈥檚 BSU attendance played a partial role in her decision to attend, as well. Ochoa had worked in the teaching field prior to enrollment and always had an affinity for working with kids.

鈥淚 did have a job one time where I didn鈥檛 work with kids, and I hated it,鈥� she mentioned. 鈥淭he more that鈥檚 going on, the better I do and what better way to do that than be a teacher?鈥�

Ochoa completed her degree completely online and at full-time status. She also worked full-time throughout the process on top of wrangling six children.

鈥淧eople ask me, 鈥楬ow did you do it?鈥� And the honest answer is 鈥榊ou just do,鈥欌�� Ochoa said. 鈥淚 was a para during most of my schooling, so I was in the schools learning, and then I go home and would do schoolwork and look after all my kids. I don鈥檛 know how I did it, I just did.鈥�

Amongst a packed schedule, Ochoa leaned on her husband Michael, kids, siblings and parents for support and motivation. Though one of her brothers passed away last year, his motivation continues to this day.

鈥淗e was always a big supporter and is the motivation to keep going,鈥� Ochoa said. 鈥淪ometimes, you just want to quit and you feel there鈥檚 too much going on. And then it鈥檚 like, 鈥楴ope, he would have kicked me in the bum. I have to keep going.鈥欌��

As a result of her perseverance, Ochoa will further pursue a teaching career in the Fergus Falls area. Ochoa currently resides in Elizabeth, located about 8 miles north of town. Though she would be happy to teach any grade, she hopes to land a sixth-grade teaching position after finishing her practicum in that area.

鈥淚 will take any age, but sixth grade just has something special about it,鈥� Ochoa added.

Ochoa sang praises of Fergus Falls Public 歪歪漫画s, noting that her family are 鈥淥tters for life.鈥�

鈥淚 am a believer in the school system and have worked with some of the administration. It鈥檚 easy to work for people that you like and it鈥檚 easy to back people you agree with,鈥� Ochoa said. 鈥淚 think Fergus Falls is top notch.鈥�

Ochoa looks forward to her post-graduation career with excitement while remembering the work it took to get there.

鈥淚t was hard,鈥� she left off, 鈥渂ut as of (May 9), I鈥檒l feel that this was all worth it.鈥�

BSU will hold two graduation ceremonies at the Sanford Center on Friday, May 9, one for each college. Each ceremony is also available via livestream on BSU鈥檚 social media pages.

A ceremony for the College of Creativity, Enterprise and Place will take place at 10 a.m. Graduates from the College of Sciences and Health will be recognized at 1 p.m.