Then and Now

In high school, I was an honor roll student, played soccer and wrestled, and worked, but I wasn't sure what I wanted to do after. But I knew if I didn't figure out how to go to college at that point, life wouldn't give me another chance — I'd end up working a 60-hour a week construction job.

I was looking for a foot in the door somewhere. The U of U Dream Center pointed me in the direction of SLCC, where I had a one-semester scholarship from the SOMOS Foundation. That was the foot in the door I needed.

I remember receiving SLCC's acceptance and information package and it hit me, emotionally. I thought, damn, I made it into college; this is going to change my life. There wasn't anyone around to congratulate me, but on the other hand there was no one to derail me either — the upside to being alone.

On campus, I had to figure everything out. In between classes, I'd hang out in the same spot every day by the Student Succes office, asking questions, and eventually they got to know me. I found two mentors who are like family to me — I wouldn't be here without them. They helped connect me with resources like the food pantry, counseling services, a campus job, and the Bruin Dream Scholarship.

It took me 9 years to graduate; Covid really took me off my feet academically. I took 3 years off and really got into mural painting and eventually started receiving commissions. I've been drawing and doing street art since I was 13 — it was my outlet. To make a business out of it, I dove into every entrepreneurial certificate program, class, and opportunity offered at the Miller Campus. My art career spiraled up.

Eventually, I returned to SLCC to finish my associate's degree; sociology opened up my world view. I'm now working on my bachelor's in business and finance at Weber State. I'm trying to bury the hatchet when it comes to poverty, end that cycle, for me, for my cousins and nephews and my future kids. I want them to see the value of education and that if I can do it, they can too.

"I'm trying to bury the hatchet when it comes to poverty, end that cycle, for me, for my cousins and nephews and my future kids. I want them to see the value of education and that if I can do it, they can too."

Advice

If you are going to do something that is life changing for yourself or someone else, however it feels while you are doing it, accept that's how it's supposed to feel — it's not supposed to feel easy or like you are supported. At the end of the day, no matter how you're feeling, you've got to pick up your chin and figure it out — it's just another challenge.

*Beto Conejo is an international muralist, human rights advocate, and creator of the Utah Day of the Dead Festival. To date, he has painted more than 30 murals, including 3 community murals for SLCC.