April 21, 2016 

LAWT News Service 

 

Dominguez High School 12th-grader Joshua Dodson can’t wait to have a career studying and working with animals.

 

The self-described animal lover is set to begin his first semester at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) where he plans to study biology before moving on to a career as a zoologist.

 

“I like learning all I can about animals and I’m thinking of becoming a veterinarian,” he said.

 

Joshua can pinpoint the beginning of his love for animals to his dog, Roxy.

 

“My family and I found her on the street when I was in fifth grade. She was really small, so we adopted her. I love my dog the same as I love my fellow human beings. She’s family.”

 

A product of Compton Unified School District (CUSD), Joshua said he is grateful for all the teachers who motivated him to succeed. He previously attended Emerson Elementary and Roosevelt Middle School where the virtues of college were instilled in him.

 

However, Joshua credits his AVID (Achievement Via Individual Determination) teachers at Roosevelt Middle School and Dominguez High for pushing him to his potential.

 

“Since eighth grade AVID has helped me develop organizational skills, time management, and to prepare for college. Ms. Dee, who was my English teacher at Roosevelt influenced me and my classmates to think outside the box,” he explained.

 

“Mr. Tacapan, my AVID teacher at Dominguez, he’s one of my biggest inspirations. He told me to really go for what I want to do professionally.”

 

Joshua said that once he’s found success, he hopes to give back to all Compton residents, including those who belong to the animal kingdom.

 

“I love my community. I love Compton. I’ll do whatever I can to help. Something I might want to do in the future is work for a vet clinic in the area,” he said.

 

For Joshua, his path to college and the career of his dreams is an example of how many Compton students are working hard to achieve their goals.

 

 “We have more talent here than people really see. People just see we’re from Compton but there are lots of people who lived here and became successful. I’m going to be one of them,” he noted.

 

By attending CSUDH this fall, Joshua will be the first in his immediate family to go to a four-year college.

 

“It means a lot to me. My education is really important. It’s always been one of the most important things for me to focus on. I try my best to be successful in school because a college education opens a lot of doors.”

 

And in Joshua’s case, a college education may also open the doors to studying the animals he loves in the wild..

Category: Education