Noah Tyler Ratley

“Be persistent and never give up hope.” ~ George Lucas As last Saturday’s commencement ceremony came and went like the wind and summer around the corner, I can’t forget the individuals who supported me throughout my journey and believed in me the entire way 🥹✨ To my very, very small group of friends, @my.watercooler.romance @mizabarca91 @diegofitness3000 @tempestdescent @briii_anna18 and more, thank you all for being my bestest friends and for guiding and supporting me on the path to graduation. I am forever thankful for our friendships and our bond. I love each and every one of you and I look forward to our next adventures! 🥰💙 To my family, especially @alyssa.aqu1no @juliusaquino30 @emybeth @liz_liselle @mochi_michelle and many more, you are the backbone of my strength. 💪🏼 You are the reason why I push forward through adversity and failure. You are what inspires me to be a better, stronger self. Thank you for being in my life, especially Julius and Alyssa for being my brothers and sisters even if I have none 🥰 Last but ESPECIALLY not the least, a very HUGE #shoutout to my MOM for having my back the entire way on this journey. This graduation, this diploma, it’s not for me, it’s for you. For your never ending hard work and dedication in life. You inspire me everyday to be the person I am: joyful, hardworking, humble, caring, loving, and friendly. This is OUR graduation, mom. Let’s celebrate together 🥹🥰🥳💙🎓 To the Classes of 2024, we did it. We conquered the obstacles on our path and are now on our way into the world as leaders, educators, healthcare workers, military members, engineers, and more! 🤩 Let’s create change in the world for a better tomorrow ✨ Also, OUR PHOTO (2nd) WAS IN @vc_star 😱🤩

“Passion first and everything will fall into place.” ~ Holly Holm — “I’m scared to go to college…” 😳 This thought occurred at the end of high school for me. I was too scared to enter into a new realm, into the void of the unknown 😨 I’m sure each one of us, those in college and pondering about college, has had this thought. We’ve all been there 😮‍💨 But once you make that first step into orientation, first seat in your first class, or even just walk around campus, you’ll still feel nervous, but just know this, it will be all worth it in the end 😌 — Going straight into a 4-year university is not easy for most 😬 It sure as hell wasn’t for me 😮‍💨 But as I look back on what I have accomplished while in university and what I’ve learned being here, it’s that the journey and struggles you take on make you stronger at the end of it all 💪🏼 Shoutout to my AMAZING photographer @devanshaemedia for capturing my special moment on campus and my other half at Seabridge 📸 — Tags: #photoshoot #professional #pro #photographer #graduate #grad #2024 #college #university #csuci #dolphin #diploma #inspire #explore #discover #seekdiscomfort #mental #stigma #family #friends #live #hope #care #community #worththewait #imadeit #happy #grateful #future

“Success is loving life and daring to live it” ~ Maya Angelou — #CSUCIGRAD CLASS OF 2024 🎓🐬❤️🤍 As my final chapter at CSU Channel Islands comes to a close, I want to look back on the past 6 years here 💭 All the memories I’ve made, all of the people I’ve met, and all the new and exciting things I’ve learned 💡 Yes, it may have taken a little longer than usual to attain this #expensivepaper 📜 but, in all honesty, every minute in the classroom and every mile walked to and from classes, it’s been worth it since the beginning ☺️ — Through mental challenges to peer pressure, choices have been difficult to make within the past years, but with perseverance and integrity, anything is possible. I want to thank everyone who is tagged in this post including all of the family and friends who have supported my journey throughout the years (you know who you are 😉). Y’all are the real #goat 🐐 But in all seriousness, thank you for believing in me and pushing me to give it my all 🥰 I’M GRADUATING Y’ALL!!! 🥹🤩🥰🎓❤️🤍💙🇵🇭 — Tags: #graduate #grad #2024 #college #university #csuci #dolphin #diploma #inspire #explore #discover #seekdiscomfort #mental #stigma #family #friends #live #hope #care #community #worththewait #imadeit #happy #grateful #future

"Diversity is the mix. Inclusion is making the mix work." ~ Andres Tapia 🫱🏼‍🫲🏽 — The CSU Young Males of Color Consortium held their 4th Annual Conference at @sandiegostateuniversity, and let me say, it was well worth it 🙌🏼 A special shout-out to @ci_asi for inviting me to this conference and @csuci_iss for welcoming me to the brotherhood and taking care of us these past couple of days 🥰 — Being surrounded by Brothers of Color at this conference, after feeling such a minority usually, felt incredibly fulfilling 🤩 Seeing, hearing, supporting, and understanding one another is essential to each other's success 💫 Building a further understanding of the needs and capabilities of men, and women, of color will make the world a better place 🌎 — If this conference has taught me anything, it is to understand and support my fellow brothers 🫂 Our stories may be different but similar in ways 📚 From our early childhood to our current college days. We should be there to listen, mentor, and support one another. We will need each other down the road 🛟 As Dr. Sean James and Mr. Jaylan Hicks reminded us: We are #STRONG. We are #POWERFUL. We are #CAPABLE. We are #WORTHY. We are #SOMEBODY. — Tags: #support #love #family #brothers #brotherhood #understand #listen #support #new #opportunity #helpothers #inclusion #equity #diversity #thecsu #calstate #wonders #motto #color #men #conference

“There are two great days in a person’s life—the day we are born and the day we discover why.” 🌟 William Barclay — I’m only a month and a half late 🤡 — A birthday spent with friends at a fair 🎡 We’ve always wanted to go to the #VCFair together as a group, and this year, I’m glad we could enjoy it together, and on my birthday 😋 — This year, so far, has been full of ups and downs, but mostly ups 😊 Not only did I meet new friends, experience new things, and get involved more in my community, but I’ve also learned more about myself 😌 Though not everything is what it seems to be. Many people and things mask themselves from what/who they are. Many doors are left open for you to explore. Many paths showcase a new route in life. These have been my experiences so far 🚶🏽 I’m proud of who I’ve grown to be 🤗 With the guidance and support from my mother to the endless adventures and self-reflections with my friends, these past 23 years of life have truly been one I thought would never have happened without everything that happened; the people I’ve met 💫 Though cheesy, the saying “Explore. Dream. Discover.” 🌎 and “Seek Discomfort” ⚡️ are genuinely what’s guiding my life. Things I believe are what life is all about 😄 — Tags: #life #chances #guide #endless #happy #grateful #family #friends #fair #fun #experience #seekdiscomfort #explore #dream #discover #adventure #unknown #new #perspective

"At sea, I learned how little a person needs, not how much." ~ Robin Lee Graham — These past weeks, my mom, cousins, aunt and uncle, and I embarked on our first-ever 8-day voyage to The Last Frontier, the great State of Alaska. 🚢 With our Journey beginning and ending in Seattle with a trip to the North, to Canada 🇨🇦 to visit our cousins and family there! 💙 I am glad this is the restart of our annual tradition of saving up with my cousins to explore the oceans and various new destinations waiting for us on the horizon 🥰 Thinking about all the friends we have met along the way and the memories created 😊 Cruising is a better way to travel, though some may question why? Aren't you still on a boat after all? The reason is this: Everything is paid for upfront 🫢 You don't have to cook, clean, do the laundry (if you have the perk), or even drive anywhere! Plus, the experiences, the people you meet, the staff, and the fantastic adventures already set for you are just waiting! 😁 All I know is that the next cruise is coming up again soon! Hopefully, I'll be able to vlog FUTURE adventures since I wasn't in the mood to do a full vlog 😓 — Tags: #cruise #travel #world #relax #peace #serenity #plane #fly #love #family #mom #son #cousins #brother #sister #friends #alaska #canada #america #carnival #norweigan #ccl #ncl #fun #military #boat #ship #explore #culture #newdestinations

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone” ~ @YesTheory @Seek.Discomfort ⚡️ — Let’s hop on this trend shall we 😅 — As the year ends and a new one begins, life has taught me one thing: live like you’re going to die tomorrow. Life IS too short. 😓 So why hold grudges? Why not be nice to everyone? Why not give back? Why can’t you do something you’ve never done before? Why not do something everyone thinks it’s stupid? Why not leave your comfort zone? Live the dash! 🤩 2022 has been a year of hills and valleys. With so many life experiences in one year, with COVID, special milestones, traveling once again, even making fond memories. 🤗 It’s been a trip, 2022, but I’m looking forward to seeing what 2023 has to offer. Each photo, each video, each and every moment of this past year will be cherished, looked back upon, and learnt from. 🥰 Not everything is perfect, so why should you live a perfect life? Live life the way you see fit. Live a life that’s yours and no one else’s. As the tergoes, “You Only Live Once.” 🧐 — Though instagram only lets me tag up to 20 people 😐 I can firmly say that more than 20 people, hell, even 100 people, has made a difference in my life this year 😄 I wanted to thank all of you for being a part of my 2022 journey as I look forward to creating more memories with each and every one of you in 2023. More Disney trips, road trips, retreats, clubs, and more getaways to look forward too! 😌 Especially with everyone who I shared these trips this year with, THANK YOU! 🥰 — Tags: #seekdiscomfort #livethedash #escape #escaperooms #trips #travel #party #clubs #Disney #friends #family #love #excitement #newyear #newbeginnings #nextyear #tomorrow #yolo #hills #valleys #God #catholic #memories #moments

“Venture outside your comfort zone. The rewards are worth it.” ~ Rapunzel (Tangled) — A little video collage recap of the magical, fun-filled weekend 🤩 — Tags: #SeekDiscomfort #firsttime #firstvisit #disney #marvel #movies #themepark #dream #trip #friends #family #love #fun #hope #courage

“Some people are worth melting for.” ~ Olaf (Frozen) — When the trip makes it out of the group chat 😅🥰 Part 2 — Here’s some of the craziness continued 😜 From rides to galavanting around the park, the day was filled with laughter and joy. The day seemed to never end with the amount of fun and smiles shared throughout the parks. 😄 Once again, would definitely go again! Especially with my second family ☺️ Grateful to have shared this experience with them. I am certainly looking for more adventures to come in the next year and beyond! 🤩 Disney next year anyone?! 🤔 P.S. Peep Diego and I poking some fun at Alex 😆 — Tags: #SeekDiscomfort #firsttime #firstvisit #disney #marvel #movies #themepark #dream #trip #friends #family #love #fun #hope #courage

“Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved.”~ Pooh (Winnie the Pooh) — When the trip makes it out of the group chat 😅🥰 Part 1 — Coming back to #Disneyland after 14 years and the first time at Disney’s #CaliforniaAdventure with the perfect crew, what more could you ask for ☺️ An unforgettable trip to say the least is well needed after a rough and stressful 2022. What other way than to spend it at Disneyland with a dream crew who shares the same love for Disney 😄 This group of friends I have are people to die for. This is a family; my second family 🥰 We’ve been together through thick and thin for years; some even brand new to the group/family, but still made an impact in my life and others. 💙 I am certainly looking forward to the next trip with these individuals and maybe even more to come! Disney Trip 2023 anyone? 😌🤔 — Tags: #SeekDiscomfort #firsttime #firstvisit #disney #marvel #movies #themepark #dream #trip #friends #family #love #fun #hope #courage

“Traveling in the company of those we love is home in motion.” – Leigh Hunt — A little over a month ago, my mom and I, with a couple of friends, embarked on our Mediterranean 7-Day Cruise 🚢 Stopping in France, Italy, and Spain 🇫🇷🇮🇹🇪🇸 It was a well-needed trip for both of us with our busy lives. It was a perfect getaway for both of us, and I’m glad to have done it with my mom 🥰 All I know is that the next cruise is coming very soon! Hopefully, I’ll be able to vlog that adventure since I didn’t this time 😅😓 — Tags: #cruise #travel #plane #love #family #mom #son #friends #mediterranean #ncl #carnival #ccl #fun #bowling #rockclimbing #military #boat #ship #explore #culture #newdestinations

“Honoring Our Past — Building The Future” ~ CSU Channel Islands 20th Anniversary ✨ — Thursday, September 1st, 2022 20 years since this university’s inauguration. 20 years of history made. 20 years of barriers broken. And yet there are still many more years to come! ✨🐬 — Being a part of this amazing milestone for my small, but might university of @CSUCI is an amazing feeling 🥰 Having a good standing relationship with my peers, staff, departments and divisions, and even our very own 4th University President, Dr. Richard Yao, I can confidently say that this university embodies what serving our students and communities should look like 🥹 — Honoring the past and building the future defines how this university keeps growing, breaking barriers and norms, and even breaking ground for new innovations and ideas. 💡 From tragedy, local and regional disasters, to even shortcomings, the university is as strong as even and the community is ever evolving. It just shows, small, but definitely mighty! 😤🐬 #GoDolphins #Classof2023 🥰🎓🐬 — Peep the last photos of myself and the Veteran Affairs team trying to tame our facility dog 😅 And yes, we have dogs for our university every day 😋🐶 And yes, we can walk them 🥹 — Tags: @csuci_ekho @csuci_firstgen #dolphins #20years #anniversary #csuci #camarillo #oxnard #ventura #venturacounty #csu #university #college #generations #future #past #memories #history

“Never allow the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” ~ Babe Ruth ⚾️ — Not me about to throw the popcorn on the bottom of the 9th inning 💀 iykyk 🙃 I just wanted to give a special thank you to @_jiing for inviting us to see the Dodgers v. Cubs at 🇵🇭 Filipino Heritage Night this past Thursday night!! 🥰 I gotta say, these jerseys really do scream “I’m a #Filipino” more than anything 😌 Definitely will go again next year! Especially for another win 😉 — Tags: #dodgers #9thinning #anxiety #anxious #culture #heritage #fun #family #cousins #friends #invite #traffic #filipinos #philippines #pinoy #win #wewon #happy

“Kid, you’ll move mountains.” ~ Dr. Seuss — I’m a proud older brother 🥹 WOOOO congrats to my little sister/cuzzo on graduating high school!! 🥳🎓 It’s been amazing to see you grow into the amazing young lady you are, with more to come in the future! 🤩 I am so so proud to be a brother to ya! 💙 Congrats to the court members who also graduated this year!! 🥰 Even though I couldn’t make it to some ceremonies 🥺 I’m am so happy to be a part of your guys milestones! 🥹 Looking forward to what the future has for everyone! ✨ — Tags: #graduation #highschool #cougars #gold #cap #family #friends #love #honor #education #future #memories #moretocome #endlesspossibilities