From Living Out of Her Car to Becoming Valedictorian in Tacoma
When Sarah Black took the stage as valedictorian speaker at UEI College Tacoma’s graduation ceremony, the applause carried a weight that went far beyond academic achievement. Just a year earlier, she was sleeping in her car, her dog curled up beside her, balancing coursework in the HVAC program while working night shifts as a janitor.
“I like mechanical stuff,” Sarah said in an interview before the ceremony. “It was either HVAC or cars. When I toured UEI, I picked HVAC and just went for it.”
That decision proved transformative. Sarah completed the Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) program and has been working ever since at Dr. Cool/Dr. Heat, a company she says feels like family. “I love it. The people are super nice, and they’ve been so good to me,” she said.
Her path to that point was anything but easy. After losing her housing, Sarah relied on the shelter of her vehicle while pursuing a full-time education. Days were spent learning the intricate systems of HVAC, while nights were devoted to cleaning offices and hallways. Meals were modest, often peanut butter crackers, and her “study desk” was the steering wheel of her car, lit by flashlight.
“Some people looked at me and saw a cleaning lady,” she told the audience in her graduation speech. “But I saw something else. Someone who refused to quit.”
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She described learning to install heating systems while she had no heat herself, and mastering air conditioning repair while sweating through hot nights in her car. What sustained her, she said, was vision, determination, and the unwavering support of her instructors and classmates.
“To my wonderful instructors, thank you. You didn’t just teach us a trade, you taught us resilience,” she said, naming several who guided her through the toughest stretches.
“Watching Sarah’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring,” said Kyle Guenther, HVAC instructor at UEI College Tacoma. “She faced challenges that would have stopped most people, but she never lost her determination. Seeing her walk across the stage as valedictorian and now thrive in her career makes me incredibly proud. She’s a perfect example of what resilience and hard work can achieve.”
At 38, Sarah acknowledges that her journey took longer than most, but she believes her story proves an important point. “It’s never too late,” she said. “If somebody’s thinking about going back to school in their 30s, I’d tell them to go for it. What’s the worst that could happen? You don’t make it, and you’re still where you started. There’s nothing to lose.”
Her advice carried extra resonance as she closed her speech, reminding her fellow graduates that everyone had overcome their own battles to reach the day. “Graduation isn’t just about tests and textbooks. It’s about standing tall when life tries to knock you down. Your past does not define your future.”
Now, with a career she loves that provides an income for stability and housing, and the honor of being her class’s top student, Sarah has already proven her words true.
