Shonda Peeples
Going to college had always been a dream of mine. I am the youngest of 10 children. Being the baby girl after 9 boys was difficult.
My mother and brothers did not allow me any freedom. So when I graduated from high school and went to college, I became "buck wild." I attended parties instead of studying and then I became more interested in boys. Needless to say, I became pregnant with my oldest daughter and had to drop out of college. I married my daughter's father. We were married for 12 years and we had another daughter together. My husband and I separated when we gained custody of my nephew's daughter after his death.
With 3 young girls to raise,my dream of returning to school was very slim. I work full-time and try to attend the sporting events that they are involved in. This is very hard but I want them to participate in sports because I never had the opportunity when I was their age because my mother had to work 2 and 3 jobs to put food on the table for the 10 children that she raised by herself. I never realized what she meant when she would say "Wait until you have kids. You will see that it is not easy," or "Finish school before you start a family because kids are expensive." Thinking back, I wish I would have listen to her.
I preach everyday to my sixteen-year-old daughter and niece about staying in school and boys. I just hope and pray that they finish high school and college before starting a family. I placed my children and my elderly parents before my education. My father made me promise him before he passed away that I would return to school. I am keeping that promise, I will start this month at Virginia College in Huntsville, AL.
I will have to take out a loan or only take a class here and there because I do not have the money. My daughters have placed themselves on a budget and only ask for money when necessary because they want me to go to school.
I do not know how long it will take me to finish but I WILL finish! This scholarship would help me keep my promise and to achieve my goal.