Jose Chacon Dare to Dream Fund in Honor of Mr. Doug Stephens
As many as up to 150 students per year, usually due to circumstances beyond their control, do not have the $30 registration fee to enroll in concurrent enrollment classes which enables high school students to simultaneously receive college credit during high school. This not only saves money for the student in the future, but it can also provide the first exposure and impetus for the student to attain higher education opportunities, as in the case of Jose Chacon.
When I was a student at Ben Lomond High School, as a junior I took American History from Mr. Doug Stephens. He always reminded his students that the class was eligible to be used for college credit. We needed to enroll electronically in the concurrent enrollment program through Weber State University. Every day, Mr. Stephens asked if we had signed up and who had not done so. I always raised my hand and with each day I became increasingly more embarrassed and more timid. One day before the deadline, I was asked by Mr. Stephens to see him after school. He asked me why I had not enrolled and I was very ashamed to admit the truth and hesitated. I told him that my family did not have the money to pay for it. He asked if my mom had a credit card to use and I replied that she didn’t, but she would have money after the deadline. He asked if there was anything she could do or anyone who could help and I replied to him that we didn’t have anyone. We were living in poverty. He asked me if I was really fine with losing the opportunity for credit. I replied that I knew I would miss out and I would need to make it up later once I got into college. I said that it wasn’t the first time in my life and I would be OK.
Mr. Stephens didn’t say anything to me and asked me to use his computer to register. I told him that I couldn’t pay and he told me still to register. I was very hesitant and to my disappointment, I couldn’t finish the registration without the payment. I stopped and sat there for a minute, even though it felt like longer. I told him that I couldn’t continue. He picked up the phone and made a call. I sat there ashamed that I was poor. I overheard the end of the call and he said, “put it on my card.” I looked over and he turned to me and asked if he could take over. We then completed my registration and I looked at him overcome by emotion. I asked him if I could give him a hug. He allowed me to express my gratitude. He gently smiled and said that we couldn’t let a few dollars prevent me from receiving college credit. Since that day, I promised myself that I would pay it forward the moment I could.
Jose’s story is typical of so many of our students and we hope by naming the fund after Jose that it will inspire others just like him. To help more students be able to change the course of their lives, we are asking you to consider making a donation to the Jose Chacon Dare to Dream Fund in honor of Mr. Doug Stephens.
