Ginna Fontaine starts over at Big Bend

MOSES LAKE - Ginna Fontaine moved to Moses Lake to get a fresh start in life. Like some people, she had not made the best of life choices. She wanted more out of life.

She left high school with a certificate of proficiency at age 16, then held various low-paying jobs without any real life goals. After coming to Moses Lake in 2006, she started taking classes at Big Bend Community College and was working a part-time job off campus. She also started taking care of her 94-year-old grandfather

"My life transformation began at Big Bend Community College," Fontaine said. "I learned to dream big. I learned anything is possible with hard work and dedication."

Now Fontaine is living her dream. She was recently promoted to accountant at the Grant County PUD. She bought a house. She is providing a better life for her son.

Like so many of BBCC's student success stories, Ginna's journey started at Student Support Services, a federal program that helps first generation, low income, and disabled students navigate college.

"I received encouragement and advice from Student Support Services throughout my journey," she said. "Many times a did not think I would make it to graduation."

Her hard work and dedication were on display at BBCC. While attending BBCC as a single parent, she simultaneously held multiple jobs as a work study student in the payroll office, a programmer for the Associated Student Body, and had a part-time job off campus-all while caring for her grandfather and son. She tutored other students. She was a full-time accounting student with a 3.78 GPA.

Fontaine graduated from BBCC with honors in 2010, earning two degrees. She was hired part-time by the PUD that summer.

She then started work on her new goal - a bachelor's degree in accounting from Central Washington University.

She was awarded a merit-based Washington Award for Vocational Excellence (WAVE) Scholarship to pay full tuition for two years at any state university. She appeared financially set to transfer to CWU.

But before classes started at CWU she received another letter - notifying her that the state-funded WAVE scholarship, worth more than $12,000, was revoked because of the state's budget crisis. It was crushing news for her financial plans to attend CWU.

One of the BBCC Foundation's long-time scholarship donors learned about Fontaine losing the WAVE scholarship, and provided personal funds to help her pay tuition expenses at CWU. And thankfully, the state kept its promise by awarding the WAVE scholarship.

"My education would not have been financially possible without scholarship support," she said. "It was a bonus that some of the scholarship donors also became my mentors."

Her struggles weren't over. During her senior year at CWU she lost her father, then her grandfather. She needed to stay focused but she also needed to grieve. Her goal was in sight.

"I could not let these nightmares prevent me from accomplishing my dreams," she said.

In her final quarter at CWU, she was hired full time by the PUD Payroll Department. She graduated in 2012 with honors and earned two degrees (accounting and supply chain management). Her dad and grandfather would be proud of what she has accomplished.

"My mentors at BBCC helped prepare me to learn the skills and to dream big, and reach for what seemed to be impossible goals," she said.

Her mentors are certainly proud of her. "They stay in touch and still offer their caring friendship and invaluable guidance," she said.

Her next goal?

"Certified public accountant," she said.