Jazmin Morales has a motto: never say no.
She traces the saying to her parents. From a young age, they encouraged Morales to try everything. Originally from Guatemala, her parents began working young — her mom at 7 on a farm, her dad at 9 in a market. Because their own opportunities were limited, they encouraged their children to try everything.
Morales’ motto guided her time at AACC, and her choices led to her being selected as one of this year's valedictorians.
Her AACC story began in her junior year of high school when she took a dual enrollment course. That’s when her first AACC-related opportunity arose. She received an email inviting her to be a student ambassador. She jumped at the chance, and even though she didn’t take a dual enrollment course her senior year, she stayed on as an ambassador.
When it came time to choose a college, Morales felt anxious. As a first-generation college student, she didn’t have family members who could provide guidance. But AACC made the transition to college less daunting.
“I've been on campus, I've interacted with staff, so I was like, okay, like, this feels a little bit more comfortable for me,” she said.
During her first semester, Morales, a business administration transfer student, took an accounting class. Her professor invited her to try helping at AACC’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides free federal and state income tax preparation for qualifying Maryland taxpayers.
Initially hesitant, she said she “didn't know what a W-2 form was.” But she followed her motto and ended up volunteering during her two years at AACC. By her second year, she was offering advice on how clients could improve their taxes next year. Her experience at VITA also led to a paid finance internship. All because she said yes to something unfamiliar.
Once she graduates, she plans to transfer to a four-year school to study finance. She also wants to grow her nonprofit, Something Small. Inspired by her parents’ experiences, the nonprofit collects clothing and resources to donate to children impacted by child labor in Guatemala. She’s even working with her business law professor, Mary Bachkosky, to achieve tax-deductible status for the organization, an example of coursework translating to real life.
Morales encourages all future AACC students to give everything a try, at least once.
“If something is for you, congratulations ... it leads you to your future. If it wasn't for you, congratulations, it still leads you to a future. You discover something else.”
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