2024 - Alejandro Ornelas Jr. (Lexi): ECC is a tight-knit community that helps each other

If I could go back and tell myself that my 2024 year would be one of constant hustle, I would not believe it. This year alone has taught me so much about how much I can do when I put the time and effort into accomplishing a goal or dream. It's true when they say, “Dreams do not work unless you do,” and 2024 is a testament to how much work and dedication I had to put into making my aspirations a reality.

Initially, my journey into the Massage Therapy program at Elgin Community College (ECC) was just a curiosity I had to kill. In 2022, I signed up to take the intro class to see if I would enjoy it. Then, fast forward to December 2023, I received an acceptance letter for the actual program.

I never thought I would get accepted into the program, so the gesture made me feel special and motivated me to take on the challenge of committing myself as a full-time student, working full-time, and hitting the gym five days a week, which I find myself a little afraid of not doing any more after graduation.

The constant state of hustling and waking up early to start my days Monday through Friday will be something that will take me some time to get un-used to doing. Hopefully, I will find a job that can occupy all that free time I do not want or need. My focus when getting my license as a massage therapist is to continue the hustle of securing a stable income and achieving the financial independence I require to move out of state and really start living my life how I want to.

ECC has always been a place of constant change and inclusivity. And above all else, a tight-knit community that helps each other out whenever possible. It is a school where if you can't find resources on campus, a faculty member will go above and beyond to help you find those resources outside the campus.

The instructors/teachers in the massage therapy program really prove my point. But don’t take my word for it. I highly suggest that future students look into the program and sign up for it! There is a growing demand for massage therapists around the country and, quite frankly, probably around the world, too!

We all need to learn how to take better care of ourselves. I truly believe that massage therapy should be the baseline for everyone's well-being, or at least it should be a gateway for people to incorporate a change in their health.

I can continue on and on about how phenomenal my time at ECC has been, but the actions you’ll experience here on campus will speak way louder than the pages I could write about them. I’d like to end with the following quote: “All real education is the architecture of the soul." – William Bennett.

Alejandro Ornelas Jr. (Lexi), ‘24

Elgin, Illinois

Massage Therapy–Vocational Specialist

You can read more graduate essays by visiting elgin.edu/graduates.