Sierra Jarmon, a graduate of the El Paso County Colorado School District 49 Springs Studio for Academic Excellence, recently graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences after six years and overwhelming challenges. Her dream is to become a veterinarian.The Jarmon family moved to Colorado Springs after her father completed military service, when Jarmon was 4 years old. Her father is from Houston and her mother is from Anchorage, Alaska.Jarmonís challenges started with her science track at UNC. She knew little about science and did not take any advanced placement coursework in high school. ìI didnít take any AP biology or chemistry, so I was behind the starting line,î Jarmon said. ìGrasping the material was hard because a lot of these classes are weed-out classes.î But Jarmon persevered and kept moving forward. ìIt took me two and a half to three years to really hone in on the material and grasp it.î She failed her first chemistry class and adopted new study habits. ìGradually, I started to excel in my classes,î she said.Just as her studies were improving and Jarmon was moving forward, she lost her older sister to a tragic death in 2018. Returning to school after having spent time with family, she had fallen behind. ìI was at the point where I felt I was so far behind and so depressed that I actually did consider just dropping out of school altogether,î she said. Instead, Jarmon decided a change of scenery might help and she transferred to Colorado State University. She eventually transferred back to UNC to finish up her bachelorís degree requirements, but not without having lost some time in having to retake coursework that did not transfer to CSU.Jarmon is now taking a gap year to work in the veterinary field, save money and prepare for graduate school. Her first choice for a veterinary sciences program is CSU; she might also pursue Texas A&M, Purdue University and Ross University in St. Kitts. She said that acceptance into veterinary school is competitive, and she plans to spend the year studying and preparing for the rigors of advanced graduate learning.Eventually, Jarmon would like to start her own veterinary practice specializing in large animals, a passion that was fueled by being around horses and learning to ride in Peyton. She said, ìIíve really been open to the fact of starting my own practice and being able to establish my own roots. I love my home state. Colorado is amazing, itís beautiful. Thereís just certain aspects of the state that you canít get anywhere else. I donít think I could leave that for very long.îJarmon attributes her ability to persevere through six years of challenges to her family, especially her parents and older brother, friends and her faith. She said, ìOne thing that I can honestly say is that I feel that all the success that Iíve had so far, I really attribute it to my faith in God as well as the support from my family and my friends. Had it not been for my faith in God, I donít think I would be where I am mentally or emotionally. After my sister passed away, it was hard to communicate, get out of bed in the morning and eat. But friends and family constantly flooded me with prayers and text messages and scriptures to let me know that the Lord is holding my hand through all these trials. For others going through a rough period in their life, becoming isolated is the ìworst thing you can do,î Jarmon said. ìGive yourself the space that you need to grieve and also donít cut yourself off. Let people love you, encourage you and build you up. We will make it in the end. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.î
