Starlight Marie Fonseca

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“Growing up, my parents continually expressed their shared belief that I could achieve any goals to which I committed myself. Though my path of life has taken many twists and turns, their faith in me never wavered. That faith has continued to reassure me as I strive to better myself, my family, and my community.”

  • Program: 2009 Graduate Scholarship Recipient
  • Resides: Hastings, NE
  • Hometown: Hastings, Nebraska
  • Age: 29

Biography

PROFILE: “She’s crashing,” were the last words Starlight Fonseca heard a nurse yell to her colleagues in 2005 before the new Cooke Graduate Scholar blacked out and began two weeks on life support. Stricken with septicemia, Starlight now talks calmly about grabbing a nurse’s arm and telling her, “I can’t die. I have four babies to raise.” The hospital had all but given up after almost two weeks of ineffective treatment, when a new doctor was assigned to Starlight’s case. That doctor attempted a new procedure and Starlight said “I know without a doubt that God brought that doctor to save me.” Understandably, her near-death experience gave Starlight a new outlook on life. “Upon leaving the hospital, I promised myself that I would not waste a moment of my second chance.  God saved me for a reason and I believe that the reason is to help others realize their dreams the way God is allowing me to realize mine.”   With all she’s accomplished as a full-time mom, student, and business owner, Starlight said the most important thing to her and the thing she loves most in life in spending time with her husband, children, and her nieces who are “sources of never-ending joy.” Even before her time in the Intensive Care Unit, family was everything to Starlight who was raised in America’s heartland in south central Nebraska and never strayed too far away from home until now. Packing up her family, Starlight has moved south to Austin to begin law school at the University of Texas. 

INSPIRATION: In her hometown of Hastings there were many teachers that had a positive influence on Starlight as she was growing up, but her sixth grade teacher, Patricia Macke, ranks at the top of the list. “She refused to accept anything less than my best performance on each and every assignment and continually pushed me to realize my true potential.  Though she was quick with both the tongue and the red marking pen, her students never doubted that her true motivation was genuine love for both her students and the pure acquisition of knowledge.” 

ASPIRATION: As an immigration attorney, Starlight wants to assist those who wish to relocate to the United States. “As these new immigrants seek to familiarize themselves with American customs and culture, it is my goal to help them understand and complete the necessary legal requirements.”

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Starlight said her greatest achievement thus far was returning to the classroom after being a stay-at-home mother of four children.  She said it was a risky choice and required her family to “completely rearrange our lives, but it has been well worth it.”  She and her family have enjoyed her many accomplishments since then, “but it all started with my choice to conquer my fears and make a new start.”

ACCOLADES: In 2007, Starlight was named a Creigh Weyer Scholar which is a merit-based scholarship awarded to a student in the junior class at Hastings College.  As a senior, she received the Who's Who at Hastings College Award which is awarded to select students in the senior class based on their contributions to the Hastings College campus and community.  She also received the honor of graduating summa cum laude.

INTERESTING FACT: Starlight prefers to make things as opposed to buying them.  This includes anything from her children's theatre costumes to jewelry to blankets.

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