http://moms.elearners.com/blogs/project_working_mom_blog/archive/tags/Bellevue+University/default.aspxTags: Bellevue UniversityenCommunityServer 2007.1 (Build: 20917.1142)http://moms.elearners.com/blogs/project_working_mom_blog/archive/2007/12/04/the-winning-scholarship-essays-4-of-5.aspxTue, 04 Dec 2007 19:40:00 GMT6ade7b12-140b-4708-9653-80dc7baa77b3:148ProjectWorkingMom0http://moms.elearners.com/blogs/project_working_mom_blog/rsscomments.aspx?PostID=148http://moms.elearners.com/blogs/project_working_mom_blog/archive/2007/12/04/the-winning-scholarship-essays-4-of-5.aspx#comments<p><b><a href="http://moms.elearners.com/photos/moms/picture85.aspx">Jeanne</a>, 36</b><br />Burbank, CA<br /><br />I remember clearly that as a child I was quite determined. ... I was exceptionally passionate about certain subjects and I invited debate. My mother would always exclaim in exasperation, “You should be a lawyer!” Soon, becoming a lawyer became a dream of mine. ... I wanted to be an advocate for the poor, assist families who were in need, and argue my position until I was blue in the face. I wanted to save the world. But, as sometimes happens in life, I ultimately made choices that derailed that dream.<br /><br />… After graduating from high school, I enrolled in community college, but … I dropped out of school to nurse a broken heart and then took a year or so off. I still dreamed of being a lawyer, but I was young and I thought I had all the time in the world to get it done. After several months of living on my own and working full-time, I decided it was time to go back to school.<br /><br />I enrolled in community college again and this time I was determined to get it done. Being back in school was refreshing and exciting, and I was looking forward [to] finally fulfilling my dreams. … I found out shortly after starting classes that I was pregnant. … I trusted my fiancée would be there to help me with the baby while I got through school. I kept going to class throughout my pregnancy and even after I had my son, but, unfortunately, my son’s father wasn’t up to the task. He quickly disappeared from our lives. … This left me a single mother living on one income.<br /><br />I had to make a choice. I was working full-time, going to school at night and trying to care for my newborn son. I wasn’t able to do all three. I couldn’t afford to. I had to stop going to school. It was a devastating blow.<br /><br />Several years passed and … I started taking classes again. I was only able to take one or two classes at a time, but at least I was back in school.<br /><br />… Then, in 2002 … I became pregnant and my second son was born. ... I was no longer able to attend classes on campus due to the constraints of working full-time and caring for a new baby. My husband worked long hours and he wasn’t able to watch our son … I was ecstatic to learn that I could still obtain my degree, only now by taking all online classes. … It was hard work, but in June of this year I finally graduated …<br /><br />… When I walked up on that stage and accepted my diploma, I could hear my two boys out in the stands screaming, “You did it Mom! You did it!” …<br /><br />… In March of this year my husband and I separated. … Now more than ever I need to keep going … I am currently embarking on the next part of my scholastic journey. I have been accepted into the business program at Bellevue University (Nebraska). It is a program held entirely ... Honestly, I can’t wait to hear my children screaming … out to me, “You did it Mom! You did it! You did it AGAIN!” They are my inspiration. They are holding my hands as I realize my dream. I will do it. I will do it, again … <br /></p><img src="http://moms.elearners.com/aggbug.aspx?PostID=148" width="1" height="1">Woman's World scholarshipBellevue University