Determined 2.6 GPA Orchard Worker Turned Down by College Is Now Medical Director at Tri-Cities Community Health

This story seriously made me cry. It's so inspirational to see people that are determined to make their dreams come true, fight discouraging circumstances and persevere to make it happen!

I find it personally difficult to handle rejection. And this gentleman named Saul Valencia had the odds stacked against him and ended up on top! Doing what he loves and making a difference in the world.

He earned his degree in microbiology from WSU and then attended University of Washington Medical School. But, that would never have happened if he would have allowed rejection to hinder his path.

He was born in Michoacan, Mexico and moved to Yakima area with his family at age 7. He didn't speak English or have much in the way of a formal education. And he struggled in school. His GPA in High School was about 2.6. He even flunked out of Biology a couple times because he had to leave school to work in the orchard and pick fruit. And he figured that is what he would do for his profession.

But, then a  good friend, encouraged him to apply to WSU which he did but, was declined.

The rejection letter said 'If you think we should reconsider your application send us another letter'

So instead of giving up, he did send another letter. It was a hand written letter that he wrote in pencil on a piece of notebook paper.

It was a number of months later, but he was accepted!

He studied and worked hard and aced his Medial College Admissions text and earned a spot at University of WA.

He now works at Tri-Cities Community Health Center in Pasco and was recently made Medical Director.

It appears that all his years working in the orchards has given him a keen sense of what his patients are going through when they find it difficult to make an appointment and have to miss a day of work to get there.

He's found success and fulfillment in helping those, who's path looks similar to the one he once walked. And, he continues to be of great benefit to them.

It's not always easy to 'connect the dots' of where you've been to get where you are!

Sometimes the challenges we face are just the stepping stones of building a bridge to get us where we're going. I always find that so interesting. Where and what we all end up doing in this life.

And, as we each try to make a difference and put our own set of skills and abilities to work to make the world a better place, let's remember that often times, it's those discouraging times of being rejected or failing at something that gives us the most opportunity to learn and grow and become a better version of ourselves!

I'm happy to share this story in my own words. But, if you'd like to read the official article I read and summarized. Here it is: