Sabrina Holland and Jason Haydon are among the most recognizable faces on campus, so when they were named this year’s winners of the Presidential Student Achievement Award, no one was surprised – no one, that is, except them.
“I was very happy because of the honor, but shocked,” says Haydon, 32. “I never expected to win the award.”
Holland, 38, cried at the news. “Tears were running down my face, and my children kept asking me what was wrong,” Holland recalls. “I immediately phoned my mother, and she cried as well.”
The Presidential Student Achievement Award annually honors two students who, despite personal obstacles, have demonstrated academic excellence, service to ACC and the community, and commitment to ACC values and vision. The awards will be presented during graduation exercises Thursday, May 12. The ceremony starts at 7 p.m. at the Frank Erwin Center. | See story
“I’m so proud of Sabrina and Jason for all they’ve accomplished,” says Cheryl Richard, director of Student Life. “They poured themselves into the ‘classroom without walls’ concept, applying everything they learned in the classroom to real life, and they became fully engaged in the college experience.”
Student Life provides a variety of opportunities for student engagement, something research shows is a key component of success. The focus often is on fun, but there are practical skills embedded in each activity. “The number one thing we teach students is persistence,” Richard says. “Whether you’re organizing an event, a presentation, or your own thoughts, you have to persevere.”
Sabrina Holland’s Story
Sabrina Holland
Sabrina Holland was 18 when she married and started a family. With high school graduation behind her, she had no plans to continue her education. “I was done,” she says. Life took unexpected turns, however, and Holland found herself in an abusive relationship. She fled her home and moved to Austin to find work. That was six years ago.
Holland worked a series of temporary and part-time jobs until 2006, when the now-single mother of three enrolled at ACC.
“I decided I wanted to do something with my life,” she says. “I want to be an example for my kids.”
She majored in medical office administration and took additional classes in American Sign Language. “When I was growing up, there were some Deaf members of my church who were really nice and taught us sign language. I always wanted to learn more.”
With young children at home and responsibilities from a new job, Holland started with only two classes a semester.
“At first I could take classes only while the kids were at school,” she says. “Being a single parent, it was kind of hard.”
Then it got harder. In 2009, Holland was struck with meningitis, and suddenly she was fighting for her life. She dropped out of college, and her family flew to Austin to care for her and her children.
Fortunately, she recovered and was able to return to ACC the next semester.
“I used to be one of those students who just came to class and went home,” Holland says. “When I came back, I did some volunteer work with Student Life, and it totally changed my perspective.”
Through Student Life, she took on leadership roles in the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, Sigma Alpha Pi leadership society, and the Campus Activity Funding Board. Holland also served as an orientation leader and participated in community service projects such as park cleanups and food drives.
“I take my kids with me everywhere I go,” Holland says. “They love it.”
One of the family’s favorite activities was Deaf Nation Expo held in April. Many ACC students participated in the local event, which featured entertainment and presentations exclusively in American Sign Language. “My kids were amazed,” she says. “When we got home my son said, ‘I’m not talking. You’re going to have to sign to me.’ So we started signing at home.”
Eleven semesters after she began at ACC, Holland will be awarded an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Office Administration. She has received a full scholarship to UT-Arlington and will transfer there this fall.
Holland’s advice to others?
“Don’t get sick,” she jokes. “No, you can’t avoid that. You’re going to have ups and downs and struggles. There’s always going to be something. Just pray and try to stay focused.”
Jason Haydon’s Story
Jason Haydon
Jason Haydon was an ACC student 10 years ago. That was before he found himself plagued by personal hardships – he lost his job, struggled financially, then lost his apartment. At 22 years old, he found himself homeless and in debt.
“Some really bad stuff was going on, so I had to withdraw from college,” Haydon recalls.
He needed a new source of income and turned one of his hobbies into a living. Adopted at birth, Haydon took up genealogical research to find his birth mother. After leaving college, he began offering his research services for a fee. Unfortunately, his business dried up with the advent of free Internet sites. Financial disaster loomed again.
It was 2009 before Haydon was able to free himself from debt and return to ACC. “I failed in the past, but I picked myself up and started again,” he says.
Haydon became involved in student activities after hearing about a proposal that would affect the add/drop period during registration. He joined the Student Government Association to voice his concerns and then signed up for other clubs. He also was a reporter for the Accent student newspaper and served as a student representative on administrative committees that set college policies. All the while, he maintained a 4.0 GPA.
“It’s been amazing, and I’ve made some really great friends,” he says. “Without ACC, I would have ended up working minimum wage jobs with no hope of anything else.”
Haydon says his greatest accomplishment was proposing and helping organize the college’s first Texas Independence Day Celebration. He expected 40 to 50 people to show up, but almost 300 attended, and the Center for Public Policy and Political Studies now hopes to make it an annual event. “I feel like I’ve left something behind that will enrich the lives of other people,” he says.
Haydon will receive an Associate of Arts in Teaching at graduation, but he is only three credits shy of a history degree. He plans to earn a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, and ultimately a Ph.D. so he can teach history at the college level. He has been accepted to UT-Austin but recently received a call from a Yale University admissions representative. Haydon is now considering his options.
“One thing I learned is that I fit in here, even though I’m older,” says Haydon. “So now I’m thinking, when I move on to wherever I’m going to, I’ll probably fit in there, too.”
While he looks forward to his future, Haydon lives with a sad disappointment. He eventually learned the identity of his birth mother, but she had already passed away. “I had a name, I had some pictures, but I couldn’t get what I needed from it,” he says.
He credits ACC with helping him come to terms with the disappointment.
“I finally realized that all these years I’ve been looking for something I’ll never get from anyone else,” he says. “But that’s OK because it’s been inside me the whole time.”
Back to Top
By Christina May 2, 2011 - 3:04 pm
I read your story and am so happy for you and your future. Good luck with what choice you make on your future education. I just wanted to let you know that I am sure that your birth mother loved you and thought of you daily. I too had a child at a young age, and I placed my child for adoption, due to not being able to provided for her. I can tell you, from my heart, that I think of my daughter everyday, and pray that God watches her and keeps her safe, and I’m sure your birth mother did the same. Once again, good luck with your future, and congratulations! -Christina
By Vanessa Santos May 2, 2011 - 4:06 pm
Good for you, your story is a great one, keep on going. God bless you!
By Daniela May 2, 2011 - 9:11 pm
Good job guys!Very inspiring to us all!Keep doing the good work!
By Mary Kohls May 2, 2011 - 10:11 pm
Congratulations! It has been my pleasure through Phi Theta Kappa to work with both of you.
Good luck.
By Susan May 2, 2011 - 11:36 pm
You guys ROCK!! You have overcome significant obstacles and through your hard work and self respect are an inspiration to others. Be proud of all that you have accomplished and continue making a difference in the lives of others as well as your own.
Godspeed !
By Kelly May 3, 2011 - 1:27 am
As a fellow ACC student I can say, way to go! You both should be proud! Awesome work. That graduation day will be forever stamped in your memories as a victory against past tribulations. You won!
By Christina Vallee May 3, 2011 - 7:46 am
I am so proud of the both of you. You have achieved despite difficult circumstance which is an accomplishment in itself. I’m proud to say that I know such dedicated people and believe that the journey ahead comes with endless opportunity. Congrats Jason and Sabrina. You leave behind a legacy at ACC. 🙂
Love you guys!
Christina
By Carla May 3, 2011 - 9:48 am
You guys are fantastic. I am so proud of ACC students. 🙂
By Rob May 3, 2011 - 4:45 pm
Both of you are amazing people. I have no doubt that your futures will be even better!
By James May 3, 2011 - 5:17 pm
Congratulations to both of you.
Jason is one of my ex students and I can say that he is one of the most enjoyable students I have ever had the privilege to teach.
His personal story is an inspiration to all of us.
Best wishes Sabrina and Jason.
By David A Saenz May 3, 2011 - 8:31 pm
You guys are an inspiration to all of us.
Congratulations and may your futures shine brightly as a beacon of light for the world.
By Nicholas Jones May 4, 2011 - 11:44 am
Hey, y’all did it. I’ve seen Jason a few times, but Ms. Holland is a true friend and from Tysa, Congrats, and from myself, you go!! You honestly deserve it and I wish my mother would do the same? Congrats and I know you are going to knock ’em dead @ UT.
By Theresa May 4, 2011 - 12:39 pm
Congratulations to you both! Your stories are very motivational! Good luck with your futures!
By Betty Davis May 4, 2011 - 9:05 pm
Congratulations to both of you, and especially to Jason because he is in one of my classes. I am so proud of you! Not just for the award but for being a “survivor”.
Blessings to you-both!!!
By Lance Rosenquest May 5, 2011 - 1:44 am
Two wonderful and inspirational stories. Congratulations and good luck in your future endeavors.
By chris eddleman May 5, 2011 - 7:36 am
Two very worthy recipients of what it’s like to overcome obstacles and keep pursuing your dreams.
By Raul Palomino May 5, 2011 - 9:38 am
Congratulations to you both! You have worked very hard and deserve these awards. You are definitely an ispiration to me as a freshman student and have left me both challenged and hopefull.
By G May 5, 2011 - 11:00 am
I met Jason at the Student Life lounge at NRG about a year ago. I was particularly impressed when I overheard a phone conversation where he wanted to donate extra money he received to a scholarship fund at ACC. He’s a man of great character and I wish him all the best.
Congratulations, Jason.
By Graylin Singleton May 5, 2011 - 2:41 pm
I commend you two on that long arduous road you’ve endured to get to where you are today! You both truly are deserving of all of your achievements! Please keep up the good work and continue to motivate and inspire others!
By Stephanie DeHoff May 6, 2011 - 9:16 am
“So you’ve got a problem? That’s good! Why? Because repeated victories over your problems are the rungs on your ladder to success. With each victory you grow in wisdom, stature and experience. You become a bigger, better, more successful person each time you meet a problem and tackle and conquer it with a positive mental attitude.”
~W. Clement Stone
Congratulations on your academic victory!
By Sabrina Holland May 8, 2011 - 9:42 am
Thank you all for the wonderful words and encouragement…I will truly miss you all…but I must go and complete my goal because I am “Committed to Completion”…Phi Theta Kappa’s motto…
God Bless…iamacc…
By Chairmain May 9, 2011 - 11:46 am
Stories like Sabrina’s and Jason need to be heard. High school students need to here these struggles so they can be aware of the obstacles a person can face when trying to accomplish a goal. They can see how these student’s over came some tough obstacles and still achieved there goals through perseverance. I am very proud of Sabrina and Jason for what they have accomplished and I am excited for their journey ahead
By Donnalee May 9, 2011 - 9:10 pm
Congrats & Best Wishes to both of you in your future as you have accomplished so much while attending ACC. Always be proud of what you have done …..achieve your goal!!!
May your stories keep us all motivated to achieve our own personal goals.
By Sam Davis May 12, 2011 - 10:32 am
I am proud to call these two people friends and colleagues!
By Brette May 12, 2011 - 1:02 pm
You’re a wonderful inspiration to all. Thank you for reminding me that with hard work and determination anything is possible. I wish you both all the best!
By Jason May 13, 2011 - 12:35 pm
Thanks to everyone for all of the nice comments, support, encouragement. They are greatly appreciated.
Jason D Haydon