Marine goes from medically discharged to college degree at Polk State

Caysi Blask will walk across the graduation stage at Polk State College’s 128th commencement ceremony in honor of veterans despite the physical pain it may cause her.

“Having veterans who have been there mentally, who have had those days when it’s hard, and who know what it’s like and where I’m coming from – me walking in this ceremony is for them,” said Blask, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for three years before medically separating due to chronic pain.

The cause was not determined for three more years when Blask learned that she suffered from stress fractures in her shins caused by strenuous physical activity in boot camp at the start of her military career. By that time, the fractures had caused stress on her back, hips, and knees. She could hardly get out of bed and started using a cane.

Born and raised in Auburndale, Blask’s father served in the U.S. Army, and her mother encouraged her to go to college under his G.I. Bill benefits.

“At the time, it just wasn’t for me. It was better for me to join the Marine Corps. and leave those G.I. Bill benefits for my little brother,” she reflected. “I felt that I could buy my own ticket [to my education] by going into the military.”

Although Blask’s injury — unbeknownst to her and doctors — was sustained early in her career, she persevered for three years, which was enough time to qualify for G.I. Bill benefits.

Shortly after she was discharged, however, Blask also went through a divorce and a custody battle for her three kids in 2018, she explained.

“I was so depressed. It took me a couple of years to even leave the bed consistently,” she shared. “I tried to do things like volunteer, but I wasn’t recovered enough. I wasn’t healed, physically or mentally.”

In the fall of 2019, Blask mustered up the strength to pursue her education. She applied to Polk State and started her classes that spring.

“If I wasn’t going to do it for me, I was going to do it for my kids,” she said. “I wanted to be able to support my kids and set an example for them.”

She chose Polk State because it was the local option, but she soon learned that it was also a quality choice that would provide her with not only the resources to achieve her education but also the support to build her confidence in both the classroom and as an employee of the College.

Blask worked closely with Byron Loyd, Polk State’s Director of Veteran Services, to ensure she had all the necessary documentation required for G.I. Bill benefits. Loyd connected her to a work-study opportunity that allowed her to work part-time on campus while she assimilated into daily life.

“I had wanted to go back to work but had no confidence that I would be able to keep a desk job,” she said. “Sitting with proper posture for even a few hours would cause me to need my cane for a couple of days.”

She excelled and was quickly promoted to an Other Personal Services (OPS) position. She went from working three days a week to five.

“Mr. Loyd Sir, as I would call him…, he believed in me and really helped me,” Blask said. “He gave me a chance.”

She was recently hired full-time with the College as an Administrative Assistant for Academic Affairs on the Winter Haven Campus.

“It is so gratifying to know that my body can handle a desk job now. I still need my cane sometimes, and I use the elevator a lot, but I’m doing it,” she exclaimed. “A few years ago, it was hard to even get out of bed, let alone think of going to work. Now I’m working full-time, going to archery club, going to church, and about to graduate. There has been a lot of improvement and I am much happier now.”

She admitted that she’s not one for ceremonies.

“I’d rather get the thing in the mail and come into work that day,” said Blask, who is scheduled for the 10:30 a.m. commencement ceremony. “But I’m going across that stage for others. For Mr. Loyd, Ms. Johnson in his office, my parents, my grandparents, and everyone who put their time and energy into their beliefs that I would succeed.”

Blask will receive the Associate in Science in Business Administration degree and continue in Polk State’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management Program.

“I want whatever makes me the most employable,” she said of her degree choice.

“My advice to anyone is to find something that matters to you. Whether it is finding something you are passionate about or gaining a skill,” Blask continued. “For me, my best motivation comes from a challenge.”

She recalled running as a poolee for the Marines. When poolees would complete their run, they would go back to those still running to provide not only a challenge but also motivation.

“It helped them improve, but it also helped motivate others,” she explained. “The magic words for me were ‘beat me.’ They’d run up alongside you and tell you to beat them to the sergeant who was overseeing the test.”

She did the same for others.

“I would finish my run and then find someone. I would tell them, ‘You gotta’ beat me,’ then I’d let them win slightly,” Blask said. “This gave them the push they needed to complete and helped to boost their confidence.”

Blask’s supporters at Polk State have done this for her in the home stretch of her first degree.

“What graduating is worth to me is proving to my kids that it doesn’t matter if you start 10 years late,” she said. “What matters is that you don’t give up – you don’t stop no matter how hard.”