Among the 1,380 students who will be receiving their degrees this Sunday—Metro State’s largest graduating class to date—are many success stories. Here are profiles of three graduates whose accomplishments and plans for their futures are representative of the talent and tenacity typical of Metro State students.

Susana Osorio is an immigrant from Ecuador and this spring’s President’s Award winner.

Susana Osorio, the President’s Award Winner as the top graduate at Sunday’s spring commencement, is an immigrant from Ecuador who arrived in the United States in 2001 “with a suitcase full of dreams” for a better life for her family.

She won the U.S. Immigration visa lottery and brought her two children and husband, Carlos, to Denver.

But on Sept. 11, 2001, she almost gave up on her dreams. She had returned to her native country briefly on a humanitarian mission the day terrorists attacked the United States.

“I called my husband from Ecuador and said pack the kids and come home,” Osorio recalled. “At that moment I thought Ecuador was my home.” Then she had an epiphany. She called back. “Don’t come. I’m coming to you. I’m coming home,” she said.

“That day I realized the United States was my home and I realized I had to succeed there,” Osorio said.

Succeed she did. The 46-year-old mother will graduate on Mother’s Day with a 3.85 grade point average earned while working as a medical translator in the women’s clinic of the Jefferson County Health Department, helping women with a wide range of issues.

“Every time I help solve a problem I think, ‘Oh my gosh, I helped someone’s life today’ and it makes me feel grateful in this world,” Osorio said. “That happens every day. Sometimes my patients hug me and my job is worth it.”

A Spanish major with an education minor, Osorio also worked five years at the Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning, a nonprofit organization helping refugees and immigrants adapt to their new country. She helped teach work and cultural skills—how to handshake, take buses, count money, open a bank account.

But first she had to learn the American way herself. “It took me three years to learn the system, to trust that my kids would be OK,” she said. “I had to learn the education system, the medical system and the system to get a phone in your house. I learned that we Americans fill out a lot of forms.”

She recalls her first day in the Social Security office in Denver. Her son, Leo, then 11, pulled the fire alarm because it said, “Pull.”

Today, her daughter, Carla, 19, attends Metro State and Leo, now 17, attends Thomas Jefferson High School.

Osorio’s résumé is rich in volunteer work, organizing humanitarian and medical missions to Ecuador, and as a member of the Lions Club of Denver, an international service organization. She also coordinated study-abroad trips to Central and South America for Metro State students.

She came to Metro State in 2003 with the aid of the College Assistance Migrant Program on the recommendation of a colleague at the Spring

Richard Skuse will pursue a master’s degree in blind rehabilitation teaching.

Institute. “I had in mind I needed to improve my English and my colleague said Metro State will be a good suit because of the language, ethnic and age diversity,” Osorio said. “I took English 1010—it was hard, I was in the writing center all the time. But I got an A and I thought, ‘I can do this.’”

It would be the first of many A’s.

Last August she became a U.S. citizen. “It’s a dream come true,” Osorio said. “Well- meaning immigrants want to be in this great country but they want to be here legally and we don’t want to be sent back. I am here now. They will not ship me back. This is home,” she said.

“The United States gave me a second chance in life. This is a country of choices. You have to take advantage of the choices.”

Many of Metro State’s 1,380 graduates have compelling stories of perseverance.

One is Richard Skuse who has lost most of his sight since progressive retinitis was discovered while he was serving in the Air Force. Teachers at the Veterans Rehabilitation Center gave him the passion to help other vets who have lost their sight. With their encouragement, Skuse has earned his individualized studies degree with an emphasis in advocacy for the disabled, and will graduate magna cum laude with a 3.86 GPA, and will now pursue a master’s degree in blind rehabilitation teaching at Florida State University. He worked in the Veterans Upward Bound program at Metro State as a work study student.

Antonio Porras, a multiple career record holder in soccer, was 13 when he was brought to the United States illegally by his parents, who later were deported to Mexico. He was left with an uncle, who a Denver youth soccer coach realized was a bad influence on Tony. The coach adopted him, giving him permanent citizenship. When Porras arrived at Metro State he knew little English and had only a vague concept of American culture.

Antonio Porras has received an offer from the Colorado Rapids to play on their reserve soccer team.

Not only is he graduating with a bachelor’s degree in modern languages with a minor in international business, the Colorado Rapids have extended him an offer to play on their reserve team.

Porras holds career records at Metro State for game-winning goals in a season (6), goals in a game (6), points in a game (14), career goals (46), career assists (34), career points (126) and career game-winning goals (13).

Spring Commencement takes place at 2 p.m., May 13, in the Colorado Convention Center. Colorado Governor Bill Ritter will address the Class of 2007.