Immigrant finds life pathway at WSU

MATTAWA — There’s a saying at Washington State University: Follow the red light from the clock tower at night to be guided home.

For one student that has never been so true. Guillermo Antonio Motta of Mattawa was born in Cobán, Guatemala in 1996 and found his way at WSU many years later.

When he was just five years old, Guillermo’s mother moved to the United States, leaving him and his brother Julio behind. They moved in with their grandmother and abusive uncle.

“It was the worst nine years of my life,” Guillermo said.

Guillermo never got along with his uncle, but he adored his grandmother, on whom he relied for emotional support and saw as a protector.

The two brothers took care of each other but often went hungry simply because there was not enough money for food.

Guillermo’s brother, a sophomore at WSU who is currently undecided on what he will major in, knows his brother better than anyone.

“Growing up with my brother was always an adventure that led to us causing trouble and just being two kids exploring as much as possible,” Guillermo said.

Life started to go in a new direction in 2010 for Guillermo and his brother. As his grandmother’s health declined, she was no longer able to protect Guillermo and his brother from their uncle, who became more abusive.

The stress took a toll on Guillermo and he failed seventh grade. Later that year around Guillermo’s 14th birthday, his mother made the decision to reunite the family and moved him and his brother to Washington state.

“I never wanted to come to the U.S.,” he said. “I had family in Guatemala, and I didn’t think my mom would take care of us. I was worried she would use us for rent, food and money, which she did.”

Once again, Guillermo relied on his brother for support.

“We’ve always had this thing in mind that is having each other’s back and never, never turning our backs, and having each other’s support at all times,” Julio said.

Now a junior in college, Guillermo put his faith in the educational system of his new country.

With Spanish and Portuguese as his first and second languages, he had to learn English. Guillermo arrived in January 2010, and he was fluent in English by June. He taught himself English to prepare for high school in August.

“High school was the happy years,” he said.

School became the outlet Guillermo needed to advance his life in new directions he never thought possible. He was elected to serve as Associated Student Body treasurer for his school.

“School has showed him that education is really important and that is one of the main things that prepares him for life,” Julio said.

As Guillermo’s life moved forward, so did his older brother’s. Julio moved to Pullman to attend WSU, leaving Guillermo alone for the first time.

“That was hard on me, 17 years together and then not to have him,” Guillermo said.

Soon after his brother left, Guillermo went back to Guatemala on vacation, and he wanted to stay. But he chose a different option.

“I wanted to graduate and go back to Guatemala,” he said.

School brought Guillermo home.

“I decided to give WSU a try. I got accepted in 2014 and my freshman year was all right,” Guillermo said.

But Guillermo’s freshman year at WSU was not all fun and games. He wasn’t ready for college yet. So he moved away from Pullman to find himself and work. That year of work was also a time for great internal growth.

“The more I learn about myself, the more education is the best thing for me.” Guillermo said.

Guillermo’s girlfriend Maricela J. Vargas, a junior, working toward a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration, with a major in finance from the Carson College of Business at WSU, has seen him change.

“I’ve seen him grow tremendously,” she said. “We met freshman year, when he was just a kid, but now he has multiple goals and plans in motion.”

Guillermo’s time at WSU helped him realize his dreams of becoming an ESPN sports anchor.

“I’ve seen him develop many leadership skills that will help him in the future and he is a changed individual, physically, emotionally and mentally since the first time I met him.” Maricela said.

“I hope he grows to be a great person and achieves the goals he’s set for himself and going above and beyond them.” Julio said.

Guillermo hopes to graduate with a degree in journalism and media production from the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at WSU, with minors in sports management and Spanish.

“I believe WSU has changed the way he sees the world,” Maricela said. “I believe he feels like he belongs and that he has the potential to make a difference anywhere he goes. I’m not sure how I’ve changed him but one thing I’m sure of is that I’ve helped him believe in himself and his potential,” Maricela said.

The red light from the WSU clock tower was the northern star that brought Guillermo home.