Columbia resident Daniel Garza Salazar gave a key speech at Beaufort County Community College’s second annual Black History Month celebration Feb. 27.

Salazar, a native of Durango, Mexico, tied his life experiences to the theme of the celebration which was “Breaking Every Chain.”

“Let’s put the spotlight on me for a second. If you were to walk a mile in my shoes, what would you think my chains consisted of?” asked Salazar in opening portions of his speech.

Salazar moved to Tyrrell County with his parents when he was seven and encountered metaphorical “chains.”

“Before I know it I am 15 years old stepping into my first driver’s education course. It was just another day with the boys being class clowns and cutting up behind the teachers back,” he said.

But then a chain came.

“Because of the fact that that my parents had to walk me through a desert and cross a river in order to come here, which left me with the label as an undocumented alien. Because of this North Carolina’s law restricted me from receiving driving privileges of any kind,” Salazar said.

Salazar faced more chains when applying for college.

A day opened for him when his principal mentioned that he could stay a fifth year under the county school system, and be enrolled in a full college schedule.

Salazar, 18, had entered Columbia Early College High School when he was 15, and will be the first student to successfully complete the fifth year through his attendance at Beaufort County College.

Early college high school students attend high school and college at the same time. When they are finished they have the chance to graduate with a high school diploma and the associate degree of their choice.

While attending BCCC, Salazar became a part of Men of Success, a male-mentoring club at BCCC.

The club, which sponsored the night’s events, has a mission to enhance the life experience of students at BCCC.

“The program serves as a support system and a resource for students with the end goal of maximizing their levels of achievements at Beaufort County Community College and beyond,” reads a brochure describing the club.

The Men of Success helped Salazar integrate into the college, and campus as a whole.

“The opportunity to be a part of the Men of Success program has been invaluable,” Salazar said.

Salazar recounted how the opportunities and experiences he has been afforded have made him realize that although everyone has “chains” holding them back, no chain is unbreakable.

“In fact, many of the things I once viewed as chains, as obstacles in my pathway, I now realize were stepping stones in my pathway that have helped me become who I am as a person,” said Salazar.

Being fluent in two languages will help Salazar become a more marketable employee.

New laws now allow undocumented immigrants to obtain a driver’s license. Salazar said that he was immature at 16 years of age so waiting for a driver’s license  could possibly have saved his life.

Being able to attend Columbia Early College will give Salazar maturity and experience when he attends a university next year.

“I challenge everyone to realize that all chains can be broken with enough hard work and determination; that every obstacle in your path is in fact a steppingstone, lifting you up to a more successful future,” said Salazar.

East Carolina University’s football coach Ruffin McNeil, the event’s keynote speaker was also featured as well as several local choirs.