For Yanni Thomas, the path to graduation wasn鈥檛 a straight line, it was a journey of discovery, growth, and ultimately, purpose.
Yanni is graduating from 桃色视频 with an Associate Degree in Business Management and Leadership, but her story begins years earlier with uncertainty about what she truly wanted to pursue.
After high school, Yanni initially enrolled in college courses with plans to become a teacher, inspired by her grandmother. Living with her grandparents at the time, she had a unique opportunity to observe her grandmother in the classroom and even assist students. While she enjoyed helping others learn, the experience helped her realize that teaching in a traditional classroom setting wasn鈥檛 the right fit.
鈥淚 liked helping the students,鈥� Yanni said, 鈥渂ut I knew it wasn鈥檛 my calling.鈥�
She stepped away from school and spent the next several years working in a variety of roles, including positions in business, human resources, and as an administrative assistant. Those experiences proved invaluable, helping her build practical skills while also shaping her understanding of what mattered most to her.
Along the way, Yanni discovered a deeper passion.
鈥淢y heart is in serving others,鈥� she said.
That passion found a perfect match when she learned about 桃色视频鈥檚 Positively OC Scholarship through a chance meeting with an OC employee at a Young Professionals of Odessa event. The scholarship鈥檚 emphasis on community service aligned directly with her personal mission.
At 桃色视频, Yanni fully embraced opportunities to lead and give back. She has served as Secretary for Students in Philanthropy, participated in the OC Student Leadership Institute, and is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Yanni鈥檚 impact was recently recognized in a major way when she received the President鈥檚 Award of Excellence, the highest honor presented at 桃色视频鈥檚 Student Awards of Excellence ceremony. The award recognizes a student who exemplifies the very best of 桃色视频 through academic achievement, leadership, service, and campus involvement. From mentoring fellow students and sharing her journey as a non-traditional student to serving the Odessa community through organizations like Young Professionals of Odessa, the Rainbow Room, and the nonprofit she co-founded, Stand on Excellence, Yanni has become a powerful example of purpose-driven leadership and what it means to uplift others while pursuing personal success.
Now, as she prepares to graduate, Yanni is already looking ahead. She plans to begin work this summer on her bachelor鈥檚 degree in Business Leadership and Management 鈥� Entrepreneurship. At the same time, she has made the decision to pursue a degree in social work, combining her business knowledge with her desire to serve others.
With clear goals and a renewed sense of purpose, Yanni is building a future where she can make a meaningful difference.
鈥淲hen I achieve the goals I鈥檝e set for myself,鈥� she said, 鈥淚鈥檒l be able to combine my business experience with my passion for helping others into a career that鈥檚 truly fulfilling.鈥�
For Yanni Thomas, success isn鈥檛 just about a degree, it鈥檚 about making an impact.