2008

East Central Student Non-traditional student makes sacrifices ble. This spring, her final semester, her courses include American Lit II, College Life, American His tor y, World Civi– lization' and Music Apprecia– tion. Finding time to do every– include basketball, cheerlead– ing and summer softball. Young tries to set a positive

example for Hellanisa and Alexandra. She talks with them a good deal about the importance of having gqod grades and attending college. "Once you get to my age and you know you could have done it (entered college) after school, it's a whole new ball– game," Young said. "I talk to my girls about the future and tell them 'you can be whatever you want to be."' Hellanisa said she looks to her mother as a role model. "I'm proud of her," Hel– lanisa said. "I'll be glad when she graduates so she can spend more t ime with us." Young will graduate this May with a liberal arts degree in science. She is looking for– ward to this summer when she can "just rest" before applying for Mississippi State University. She has no regrets about attending ECCC, a college she said goes to great lengths to cater to non-traditional stu– dents. "They offer night classes close to home and most of the instructors go the extra mile to help you," Young said. "They give you a chance to deal with your family when you have to." Scholarships are available for non-traditional students at ECCC. The college has a scholarship for nontradition– al students, along with a first Though she has enjoyed her time at ECCC, Young is count– ing the days until May 10 · graduation! "It's gonna be Heaven," she said with a sigh. "I won't have to juggle this, that and the other. I thank everybody who had a helping hand in helping with school, homework or my kids." course free for any student who receives his or her GED .; through ECCC.

By TAM I K. PHILLIPS tphillips@sctonline.net

thing is not easy, Young said. She leaves work at Beverly Health Care in Carthage, where she is employed as a certified nursing assistant, at 3 p.m. each day. Then she heads t~ night class, whether in Decatur, Forest or Carthage. When Young arrives home at 9 p.m. or later, her time is devoted to her daughters, Hel– lanisa, 14, and Alexandera, 10. "That's when I come in, check homework and find out how their day went," she said. Other times she drops in on the girls' extracurricular activities. Young's bedtime normally falls between 11 p.m. and mid– night. When she has a weekend off from work, she spends time studying and catching up on homework. Young also devotes time to her daughters on weekends. "I try to spend as much time with them to do what they want to do," she said. Young's parents, Johnny and Helen Owens, have been a huge support system for Young. They watch the girls after school and drive them to band, basketball and other activities. "As long as she's trying to help herself, we're here for her," Helen Owens said. The family support is evi– dent as both of Young's daughters are smart, well– behaved girls. Hellanisa, 14, is an eighth grader at Hawkins Middle School. She is involved in band and basketball as well as the Nick Name Klub.~ Alexandera, 10, attends fourth grade at Forest Ele– mentary School. Her hobbies

FOREST- As a college stu– dent, full-time employee and single mother, Loretta Young never knows what her day will be like. " It usually starts pretty early," Young said. "I get to work at seven in the morning and sometimes don't make it home until nine or ten at night." Young is one of many non– traditional students who attend East Central Commu– nity College while working full-time and juggling family responsibilities. "The nontraditional student plays a very important role in the mission of the College," said Gene Davis, Dean of Adult and Continuing Educa– tion at ECCC. "Many of these students are looking for non– include evening classes, dis– tance learning and E-learning classes. Many students are balancing family and work responsibilities along with going to College. " Young began attending ECCC about seven years ago when she realized her life was not where she wanted it to be. After graduating from Forest High School in 1987, she moved to Jackson hoping to make it on her own. Several years later, she found herself raising a family while working for B.C. Rogers in Forest. "I was pushing both of my girls to do better in school and I figured if I pushed them, I could push myself," she said. So she entered ECCC part– time and has since taken night classes whenever possi- traditional methods of instruction which may