Pasco-Hernando State College Annual Report 2018 | Page 4

STORY OF HOPE
Margo-Ann McNamara
Margo-Ann McNamara’s story began with many challenges.
Born to a young mother, Margo-Ann was raised by her
grandmother. “My family had very minimal education, but
a lot of love…and dysfunction.” She was unaware of the
importance of education but taking care of people was
always a natural instinct.
At the young age of 12, Margo-
Ann’s life changed dramatically.
Her grandmother decided it
was time for Margo-Ann to live
with her mother. Shortly after,
her mother was tragically killed
in an automobile accident.
Margo-Ann was forced to
leave her childhood home and
relocate to California with
her grandmother. Living in a
new state with no friends, her
school attendance was poor
to nonexistent. She began
waitressing and by ninth
grade had dropped out of
school completely.
L-R: Margo-Ann with her daughter Mackenzie-Ann McNamara
By the age of 18, Margo-Ann realized she needed to better
her life. She enrolled in a local college and studied to become
a medical assistant. Relocating back to Florida, Margo-Ann
returned to college to fulfill her goal of becoming a nurse.
She gave up everything she had worked for and applied at
Pasco-Hernando State College. Soon after her acceptance,
Margo-Ann was concerned she would be unable to continue
without financial assistance. Devastated at potentially
quitting, she went to the financial aid office with hope.
“A few days later I received a call I had been awarded the
First Generation in College Scholarship from the PHSC
Foundation. First generation sunk in—I was the first in
three generations to ever obtain a GED, nursing diploma
and college degree!”
On May 7, 2014, Margo-Ann
McNamara graduated from PHSC
with her Associate in Science
in nursing degree. Today
she works as a nurse at
AdventHealth Wesley
“I am proud to be a nurse. It is
Chapel and continues to
because of Foundation donors I
share her amazing story
was able to achieve my dream and
make a difference in my patients’
with students and donors
lives every day!”
giving hope.