Ventura College women's basketball student athlete Talitha Draper was honored by the Community College Counselors / Advisors Academic Association for Athletics wit their Student Athlete Achievement Award Wednesday at the CCCAA Spring Convention in Sacramento. The honor is presented annually by the 3C4A to the male and female athlete in the state who has "persevered and made significant personal strides toward success."
"For those of you who know Talitha and her journey, you know that this is a huge honor!" said VC Counselor for Student Athletes Sheehan Casey, who nominated Talitha for the award.
Talitha has demonstrated a remarkable amount of dedication to her academic and personal commitments throughout her years in college. She has been attending VC off and on since 2012, originally coming to the college to play for the Pirates' women's basketball team from Dos Pueblos High School in Santa Barbara. Prior to her original enrollment at VC in 2012 and her return to basketball this season, Talitha's personal journey can only be described as resilient, challenging, and inspiring.
Growing up, Talitha lived in nine different "homes" before she turned 12 years old, and eventually was legally adopted by a friend of the family who she refers to as "mom". This constant shuffling of living with different family members and social workers caused an understandably challenging academic, mental, and emotional toll. To cope with this stress, Talitha fell into drug and alcohol addiction throughout middle school and high school.
After graduating high school, she enrolled at VC to join the basketball team. This added sense of freedom and responsibility was difficult for Talitha and she dipped further into her addiction and had to drop out of school. Between 2013 and 2020, Talitha spent time in and out of many rehabs and sober living homes, and at times was even homeless. She rejoined the Pirates' women's basketball team for the 2017-18 season, but a pre-season injury in the fall of 2018 derailed her hopes to finish her playing career.
Things changed for Talitha in October 2020 when she became pregnant with her son, Kitai. She instantly self-referred to a treatment program, placed herself in therapy, and has been a "recovering" addict ever since. This new joy in life has completely turned Talitha's outlook and she is now beyond motivated to provide a stable family life for her son, one that she never had growing up.
In her own words, Talitha is ready to "break the cycle" of her family's long line of addiction and be a role model for Kitai.
Since her original enrollment at VC and especially since her return to VC this basketball season, Talitha has always stayed connected to those mentors who can provide practical and emotional support for her. She continues to utilize campus services, such as academic counseling, EOPS, basic needs, faculty mentoring, tutoring, athletics, and financial aid. Because she has benefited from these resources, her life goals are to start a career where she can also help others who are dealing with homelessness, alcohol/drug abuse, and mental illness.
"I have known her since she stepped foot on campus," said Educational Assistance Center Coordinator Patty Wendt. "I can say this a very well deserved award. She has been through so much."
"What an honor for Talitha to receive," said VC assistant women's basketball coach Robin Hester, who helped recruit Talitha from Dos Pueblos High School in 2012. "It is a confirmation that she is on a path to create a better life for herself and Kitai."
"We are proud of the strides she has made and look forward to her continued progress to achieving her goals and aspirations for the future."