Summer is near and we are coming to the end of the Spring Season. May is a month where we see much bloom and I must say, I just smile when I look at all that just blossoms around me. It isn’t about the flowers that have planted their seeds and nature took its course. It is about the people that have planted their dreams and have flourished to greater heights of reality. May is a month where sacrifice and lessons have made it to be the biggest part of the education for many and is recognized and celebrated as the highest accomplishment one could endure. May is a month of new and brighter beginnings for those graduating. Graduation at any level is an achievement that is undeniably a road one cannot undermine. A road that is incomparable to another. A dream for so many. A journey of the highest level of strength training- both mentally and physically. The biggest reward that sets you up the ladder that you will continue to climb.
Growing up I felt alone in my educational journey. My parents were not physically or mentally capable of supporting my needs, much less had too much more of a worry towards my education. Our home was incredibly unstable and we often went without. At the age of 12, I began to work. Finding jobs babysitting and odd jobs like painting and cleaning businesses. I needed this for school clothes and supplies. It also helped with basic necessities when my parents could not fulfill these needs. I counted on the right people in my life that I looked up to for inspiration and guidance. Friends and families that showed me a different light than the one I lived in for so long with my family. It is what kept me hopeful and the ability to grow towards greater things outside of my box. I knew there was more out there for me, I just didn’t know how to make the moves towards anything more than the struggle I always knew. I was a self sufficient child that learned how to work. I learned the value of the life we are all blessed to have, and I never took for granted the lighter moments of life either. I counted on myself to be responsible to go to school. It was a place of safety, and also a place of hope for me. Early on, I had already learned the biggest lessons from my parents, those I would never want to repeat. Lessons I am thankful for as they taught me more than I could have ever learned in a book. Though the books I never took for granted because I understood how important as well as remarkable it was to have the chance to obtain a higher education. At the age of 15, I dropped out of high school. Not because I was a troubled kid or didn’t like school. In fact it was the opposite. I loved school and I worked really hard. There were subjects in particular, like math, that I struggled with but I worked hard and I had many wonderful friends that were blessings throughout that time as my greatest support. However, there was one class that I failed (for the first time) and I was told that the only way that I could move forward was to go to summer school. I knew that this was a slim option as I couldn’t afford to go to summer school. Nor did I have transportation to go to and from summer school each day. My mother didn’t drive and we didn’t have a car. I wasn’t old enough to drive either. I looked at all of my resources but they were scarce. I will never forget how upset I was and even more so at the inability to do something that I knew was so crucial to my future. I hated being in such a helpless position and I felt so unsupported and alone. I just knew that I had to look at my options as soon as I could and figure out how to finish school one way or another. I continued to work for others and save money. Eventually getting additional jobs as I turned 16. I worked in local restaurants and catering venues. Often I would see my old classmates drive in. I wanted nothing more to reach my goal of graduating high school. I was embarrassed, but I knew there was nothing more that I could do. I had to continue to work hard and save money. Luckily I lived walking distance to a community college. I would walk there and I started looking into the GED program. I would go to the library and utilize the computers to study and I saved money for materials to study and focused on the exam. When it came time for me to take the GED exam, I was ready and it was the biggest thing I could do for myself at that age. I remember when I checked the mail and found my test results some weeks later, I was so incredibly proud. I had passed all subjects with high scores and I was in awe of my capabilities. Realistically, I still graduated and even before my former classmates did. I continued to work over the years and continuing my education the best I could. I worked multiple jobs from then on for several years as I had to financially support myself. I put myself through community college before eventually transferring to a private University. Coming where I came from, I knew that I didn’t have another option. I had to do all that I could to work, and most of my work was finding the resources to get me to where I needed to go. Education is not something that comes easy and never should be taken for granted. In my case, like many, there is no other option if one wants to thrive.
It seemed life a lifetime to get through my days at community college, where most spend a couple of years. I was a non traditional and independent student. I continued to work as I started school part time as it was what my schedule allowed. I was inspired by some to study business as it would give me several options to choose from later down my path. I continued to work and go to school and I was very focused. I was qualified for financial aid and I utilized what I needed for my part time student status. I wanted to go full time and get finished in the expected time, but I didn’t have a choice as I had to work to pay for my rent and living needs. Time went on and I didn’t really know which University I would attend, nor did I know if I could ever afford college outside of the community college I had been attending. So for a minute, I put my studies on hold. I worked and continued seeking my options in the meantime.
Some time had past and It was during the time I attended a community festival at a University that would change my life forever. I was on the grounds of this private, prestigious, and what was known to be a very expensive University. The University that I remember as a teenager, that my peers would speak of their dreams to attend. This particular day, I was approached by a representative of the school. The man asking me where I attended school. I was not interested in having a pointless conversation with someone regarding any unrealistic chances of me ever attending such a University. However, I was stopped in my closed tracks when the man told me of the amount of scholarships the University gives to every student each year just for attending and being in good academic standing. I was floored to know that I was potentially able to receive 4 times the amount of tuition assistance than I was already receiving from governmental financial aid and grants. I knew that at this moment, this was it. This was my option. One I thought, like many would be so far fetched but it was here for me at the right time. I didn’t apply right away. I had to do my research. I had to understand what my potential schedule would be and how it could conflict with that of work. Well just when you think that your questions are couldn’t be answered, they are. Just around this time I was laid off from my corporate job. Oh, not to mention I was expecting my first child. This blow came after I told my employer I was expecting. I know! I went through the lay off emotions plus the fury towards the mistreatment. I didn’t let it slide, but I had to move on the best I could as well. This also effected the relationship I had with my partner and I was not only fed up with the mistreatment from my previous employer, but also the mistreatment I was receiving at home. It wasn’t just my future now that I had to plan and secure. I now decided to apply for the business program at this University I previously visited. They were right, I was able to receive a substantial amount of funding to attend. I was now unemployed and any amount of unemployment funding I was receiving was running dry. I had to view what my options were at this point. What seemed to be scarce, but there was a little bit more than none. I had to figure the most flexible, sustainable, and that will provide some stability. I felt everything before was crumbing down in front of me. Then I saw that all that crumbled became my climbing stones. I understood that in order for me to receive all of the financial aid I could receive from all resources, I would have to be a full time student. I thought OK, well I am a new mother and well I have to work. I knew that this was my time to go back to school because the opportunity fully presented itself to me. Then my answer came. My new full time job was going back and getting my education. Through hard work and good grades, I would receive scholarships to pay for my tuition. I was eligible for government financial aid and I qualified for other grants and loans. I accepted every dime that I could and I not only paid my $50k a year tuition, but it also provided way for me to take care of my child and house hold. I spent the next few years unemployed and a single mother with only community peer support. I didn’t have family close by and I didn’t have a reliable partner to help me juggle mother hood and school, much less anything else. My baby and my education remained to be my focus. Days were not easy. My biggest struggle was child care. Often my child attended class with me, she practically grew up at my University. Moments when she was sick with fever or vomiting, this wasn’t even a big enough excuse to miss a final exam. So what else, she went with me! I have photos of her asleep in my lap as I am taking a final exam before heading off to her doctor appointment that was scheduled right after.
I couldn’t wait for the day that I would graduate. I always looked further for the light at the end of the tunnel. However, this day would no longer be so important for me, but also for a little girl that I was setting a prime example for. I have always felt this day was just as deserving for her as it was mine. She was there from the beginning of her time learning right there with me. Sacrifices came often, but you learn that there is no cushion in success. For the many moments like this through my journey, I have extreme gratitude for the exceptional professors and faculty who have went above the imaginable to support US along the way. I am thankful for the blessings that God gave me through those that came out of the wood works to be of a support throughout the long hauled journey.
As a brand new mother, I made the decision to completely change gears and take a turn down another fork that was presented in my path. As challenging as it may seem for anyone to make large changes in their lives, careers, and education, it is! At this particular time in my life, I didn’t create any restricting hardships for what was to come, as easy as it could of been. Instead, I viewed the inevitable as an earned doing in receiving a more positive, beloved, and rewarding future that I only wished for my daughter and I.
Through these years, came some of the tallest hurdles I could physically face, but I leaped. There were times I fell during those jumps. Seldom to none, moments were ever perfect. Just as I thought I could come close, I could never be prepared enough for the unexpected. I just knew that the greatest rewards come from the greatest challenges. So the only way to look, is up. Those challenges I swallowed and embraced. They were the lessons that propelled me further to the blessings that have come along the way.
My education wasn’t coming from a textbook. The greatest lessons grew through the many trials and errors, for I have made many. Though I appreciate where I am even more. How did I get through it all? I just did it-BOLDLY! However, I was blessed with a beautiful community of support as I could not have done it by myself. All of the times that I felt so alone, I was shown that I wasn’t. I am truly thankful to all of whom that walked along side of me through this long hauled journey.
NONE ARE EVER FORGOTTEN! Even if some of the most toughest of times seemed to have clouded our best days. I am thankful for the angels whom I received during these times as a beautiful testament to my faith. I am forever thankful for all of whom were there from the start and were there helping me make it to the finish line too.
The person I am most thankful for is to the most amazing little girl that was the largest motivating reason I accepted the challenges gracefully and excelled in completion. The reason why slowing down or giving up was never an option. There is no easy way in getting anywhere, I have learned. No matter the circumstances, there are no shortcuts. If there were, there wouldn’t be a journey to appreciate, nor value gained and no lesson taught and no greater result achieved.
Allow your blood, sweat, and tears to become your fueling strength in never giving up on achieving your goals and dreams. There are no limitations to what you can do, if you do not limit yourself. This is certainly true when it comes to learning as well. There is no such thing as too little or too much education. What is important is that you are learning. With learning, you are growing. There are many stages and levels of education which is evolving throughout our lifetime. Embrace the teachings that are given throughout your journey as you are growing with every step that you take forward. No matter the trials, hurdles, and falls that you may have along the way, these lessons were in place for you to receive your blessings too. Always remember that there are no restrictions in living our passions and ANYTIME is the BEST time to do so! Do not ever lose sight of the light that is within you! Shine your light BOLDLY on all that you wish to see and receive in your future.
Bring your most Bold self in all that you do in discovering your passions and talents while sharing them with others! This is your individual super power!!
I stand proud for those that have graduated along with me this past weekend. I am so proud of all of those that have taken the reigns on their education and pulled through to the finish! Congratulations to all levels of graduates! For the High school graduates, life is now beginning. Stay focused and keep driving! To all College graduates, this is another chapter in your book. Remember that learning doesn’t stop here! For the parents (single or not) who who have made it to the finish line, Cheers to you!!! This is your new beginning! Congratulations!
No matter what your passions are, you are never limited unless you limit yourself! YOUR HAPPINESS CALLS FOR A GREATER COURSE OF ACTION! STAY BOLD! Work TOGETHER!
Unity with Community!
-Amanda Marie Wilkinson
Unity With Community 