When there’s a Latinx birthday in the local community, Itzel Briseida Moreno-Angles, 21, is often there to mark it with a bouquet of her signature red roses. The creative student, who is set to graduate from the Early Childhood Education Program this May, is well-known on Instagram for her floral business “Floreria by Itzel”.
These days, Moreno-Angeles is celebrating a milestone of her own: she is the first in her family to graduate from college, and she is doing so with flying colors. She recently won her program’s Academic Achievement Award for excelling in her classes.
Moreno-Angeles works as a daycare teacher at Childcare Network, a local school that offers programming for children. Since she was young, she has enjoyed being around children and said her degree at A-B Tech has helped her gain valuable experience in the classroom.
“I find it so rewarding to be a part of their growth and development,” she said. “I love creating a positive environment and helping them learn new skills.”
Moreno-Angeles has worked three jobs while attending school full-time online. In addition to teaching a full schedule, she takes orders for flowers on major holidays and works a retail job at the Lucky Brand outlet store in Asheville on the weekends.
“(This) job helped me with communication and with how I interact with others,” she said, pointing out that she spoke mostly Spanish at home with her parents as a child, which gave her a late start on English.
Growing up Mexican American has come with its own joys and challenges. Moreno-Angeles draws inspiration from Mexican music and culture; her floral arrangements reflect this with colorful ribbons, lights, and even the occasional religious icon.
At times, the student admits, she feels caught between her American life and Mexican roots. “Growing up I felt too Mexican for America and too American for Mexico,” she said.
However, Moreno-Angeles has made the most of her multicultural background. An opportunist at heart, she aimed to take advantage of American work opportunities while holding onto her Mexican values, which include maintaining close family relationships.
Recently, Morena-Angeles got into Western Carolina University, where she will study for a bachelor’s in early childhood education. While studying, she aims to grow her floral business and continue working as a daycare teacher.
In the meantime, she is enjoying her success at A-B Tech and the knowledge that she’s made her family proud. Her parents, who immigrated to America two decades ago from Hidalgo, Mexico, had to leave school at an early age to help earn money for their families. Her father, who recently died, always encouraged her to after her dreams.
“It feels so rewarding to be able to be the first one graduating from college,” Moreno-Angeles said. “My father…always told me “hecharle ganas” (give it a try) and ‘estudia para tener un major future’ (study to make a better future). Walking the stage and finishing community college is all for him. I know he is looking above me and is so proud!”