Overcoming obstacles: Alyssa Zuniga has reached the finish line for graduation

BY LESLIE POSADAS / Contributing Writer

Despite being legally blind, Alyssa Zuniga, a psychology student at Tarleton State University, will reach the light at the end of the tunnel this December.
 

Zuniga’s journey at Tarleton began as a music major, but challenges along the way led her to change her path to psychology.
 

“The first time I felt like giving up was actually my freshman year,” Zuniga said. “I wanted to quit college because it was hard.”
 

Being legally blind and attending college is a rare combination but Zuniga defied the odds and continued to strive.
 

With the support of her mother, twin sister, marching band director Gary Westbrook and clarinet professor Dmytro Perevertailenko, Zuniga will be walking the stage at graduation this December.
 

As Zuniga’s time at Tarleton ends, she looks back on her past.
 

“The only thing that I am really proud of myself for accomplishing is the fact that I never really quit,” Zuniga said.
 

One of Zuniga’s favorite memories came during the spring semester of 2021 when she performed her first halftime show with the Tarleton band.
 

The band played “El Diablo” from the stands, as they were unable to march.
 

Looking back on that experience, Zuniga is now filled with a sense of pride as this season the band was able to march to the same song and complete the full performance they had missed before.
 

“This season right now is giving me a lot of closure,” she said. “It’s helping me get over a lot of the stuff that was frustrating me the past four years.”
 

Throughout her time at Tarleton, Zuniga not only strived in her academic life but also impacted the lives of others. This past spring, Westbrook experienced that impact.
 

“Alyssa discovered that my family was going through a tough time, and quietly and without fanfare, she just started sending me songs that were meaningful to her,” Westbrook said. “These notes were such a blessing to me, and I have encouraged her to continue doing this in other areas of others’ lives.”
 

During their time together as professor and student, Westbrook describes Zuniga as selfless.
 

“She never seeks the spotlight, never does anything for recognition and never strives to be seen,” Westbrook said.
 

Although Westbrook is unsure of what the future holds for Zuniga, he knows what she leaves behind.
 

“She leaves mighty big shoes behind to fill,” Westbrook said. “I hope her impact is that selflessness is not a weakness but the most amazing strength you can demonstrate and that WE is stronger than ME.”
 

Westbrook hopes Zuniga continues to face life challenges after graduation with the same strength and determination she has shown so far.
 

“Do not let the world change you, but go forth and let who you are bring about change to the world,” he said.
 

Looking ahead Zuniga is also unsure of what lies in her future but knows she would like to work one-on-one with other people, whether that be students or even people with similar disabilities.
 

“I want to be an academic advisor because I like helping people, especially in a one-on-one kind of situation,” Zuniga said.
 

During Zuniga’s time at Tarleton, she made the mistake of not reaching out and finding people to talk to about certain stuff. This is why she encourages students to reach out and find their people. 
 

“It’s important to find somebody that you can talk to, especially somebody who will actually listen,” she said. “Because I didn’t have that when I was here, simply because I didn’t reach out.”
 

This has become another factor of why Zuniga’s goal is to become an academic advisor, she hopes to be that helping hand when a student is reaching out for one.
 

Perevertailenko has also had the privilege of experiencing Zuniga’s journey at Tarleton.
 

Looking back at when Zuniga began taking clarinet classes from him, Perevertailenko remembers her as nervous, shy and immature but all that changed when she came back from one of her many breaks.
 

“She definitely seemed like she had grown mentally, she was talking more like an adult,” Perevertailenko said.
 

Although Perevertailenko could not understand why someone who is legally blind and a psychology major would want to continue clarinet classes, he was impressed by Zuniga.
 

“I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone with that type of disability, but she still did it,” Perevertailenko said. “Normally, you would think that person would just quit and do something else, but she didn’t quit.”
 

From the beginning, Perevertailenko was struck by Zuniga’s genuine joy while playing the clarinet and her enthusiastic involvement in the band. 
 

“She’s always enjoyed playing clarinet, that’s the thing, I can tell that she truly enjoys it, the music lessons, and then probably the band as well,” he said.
 

Zuniga’s passion and dedication only strengthened Perevertailenko’s confidence in his teaching approach.
 

“You don’t always have to be the best, because, of course, my job is to teach them how to be better players. But sometimes it’s not even about that,” Perevertailenko said. “It’s just about you doing it and being exposed to enjoying it, just something that makes you happy.”
 

As Zuniga gets ready to cross the stage this December, Westbrook will look back on their years together and remember her impact.