November 9, 2020

Student Spotlight: Meet Christina LeBel

A high school dropout at age 15, Christina LeBel is making up for lost time at SMCC. She’s earning a degree in Human Services, manages the student-run Captain’s Cupboard food pantry, and hopes to start a nonprofit organization down the road while also pursuing her dream of stand-up comedy. Christina grew up poor in Old Orchard Beach, with food in short supply and a mother who was disabled. Bullied at school, she dropped out at 15 and got married at age 16 in a short-lived marriage that lasted two years. Always a hard worker, she went on to work at a call center and as a manager at a retail store at the Maine Mall. At the age of 23, she sold everything she owned, including her car, and moved to Boston to pursue a career as a stand-up comic. Her primary comedy sketch was about being a teenage bride. But things didn’t work out as planned, so she moved back to Maine a year later. Without any money to speak of, she went to work before deciding to come to college. She passed her high school equivalency test and arrived at SMCC in the fall of 2019, ready for an education that she had missed out on when she was younger. Christina says SMCC is not only providing her a quality education, it’s allowed her to gain confidence and learn more about herself and the tough childhood she had. She’s also learned valuable leadership skills as manager of the Captain’s Cupboard. After she completes her studies at SMCC, Christina would like to start a nonprofit organization in her late brother’s name — he died when he was 18 and she was 15 — providing birthday gifts to children in need. She’s also ready to get back on stage delivering comedy routines and making others laugh. “This last year has given me the most growth I’ve ever experienced on personal, professional and educational levels,” she said. “It’s helped me realize my values and how important education is.”