WNC Stories and Testimonials Melquiades Rosas |
 | | Mel Rosas with Terry Zutter (Left) | English Language Learner Keeps on Truckin' Melquiades Rosas went to work at the age of 8 and came to Western Nevada College with a second grade education. He didn't know how to speak, read or write English. After meeting with the college's English as a Second Language director, Teri Zutter, he enrolled in the program. Rosas worked hard for five years learning the language, and earned the skills to become a full-time truck driver, recently passing his written commercial truck driver's test.
"I read the commercial truck driver's textbook 13 times to prepare," Rosas said. "I wouldn't have been able to do this without the training I received at the college."
As soon as he stepped on campus, Zutter made Rosas feel comfortable. "I've never seen a person like Teri," he said. "I remember saying that 'here's a person who wants to help me achieve my goals and dreams.' I've never met anyone like that in my life. She motivated me to go forward."
When Rosas came to the United States, he couldn't read street signs, get a driver's license, or understand what others were saying. Now he's responsible for an 18-wheeler and ready for the long haul. "I'm having fun with my life now," he said.
He will continue taking ESL transition classes at WNC this fall. His next goal: enrolling in college credit classes.
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