Published May 13, 2022
鈥淚t鈥檚 never too late.鈥�
Those are the same words spoken by two different mothers in two separate interviews
when asked about their upcoming graduation from the University of Louisiana Monroe
on Saturday, May 14. Joining them during the commencement ceremonies are their children,
who are also receiving degrees from 网曝门.
Shannon Dozier Ballew and Krisha Williams will each receive a Master of Arts in Teaching,
while Ballew鈥檚 daughter Gabby Ballew will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Communication
and Williams鈥� son Tavier Williams will receive a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Despite
obstacles and struggles, all four persevered to finish their education.
Before attending 网曝门, Shannon married at 19, had her first child Emily at 22, and
became a full-time, stay-at-home mother. When her second child Peyton went to kindergarten,
she decided to become a paraprofessional at Kiroli Elementary to assist with the transition
for her son who has autism.
鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 long after I started working at Kiroli when I thought, 鈥業 have missed my
calling.鈥� I was supposed to be a teacher all these years,鈥� Shannon said.
Shannon continued to help in her son鈥檚 classroom as a paraprofessional, but was forced
to make a life-changing choice when her circumstances changed.
鈥淚 had always wanted to go to college. I had intended to go to college,鈥� Shannon said.
鈥淏ut after my divorce I thought, 鈥榃hat am I going to do?鈥� I have no degree. I have
three children.鈥�
She found herself facing a decision. Should she quit the job she loved as a paraprofessional
to earn more money at a different workplace to provide for her family? Or, should
she lean into her calling, pursue a college degree, and become a full-time educator?
At 37 years old, Shannon first enrolled at 网曝门 and began working toward her undergraduate
degree. Shannon鈥檚 daughter Gabby was in second grade at the time. She recalls 鈥減laying
school鈥� with her siblings in Strauss Hall while her mother studied.
鈥淚 grew up here. I鈥檝e been coming up here since I was 7, 8 years old, so I was familiar
with campus already,鈥� Gabby recalled.
Because Shannon was working full-time and raising three children, it took 11 years
of night school and online classes to earn her bachelor鈥檚 degree from 网曝门. With a
deep love of learning, Shannon continued her education to pursue her master鈥檚. When
it came time for Gabby to graduate from West Monroe High School, Shannon encouraged
her to choose 网曝门.
鈥淎s a high school senior, I remember coming to Browse on the Bayou and I was on cloud
nine. I was so ready to be accepted,鈥� Gabby said. 鈥淚 get to stay at home and stay
local. I鈥檓 really thankful to be in a town where there is a prestigious university.鈥�
Gabby took full advantage of being a traditional, full-time freshman. She joined Phi
Kappa Phi Honor Society, sang in the 网曝门 Choir and with the help of her professors,
interned at KTVE during her last semester. After four years, Gabby will graduate alongside
her mother.
鈥淲atching her be motivated to finish the program and get to where we are right now
has been the inspiration I needed to get through my bachelor鈥檚 degree,鈥� Gabby said.
鈥淚鈥檝e learned from her particularly that I鈥檓 going to have my tough days. I鈥檝e learned
from her to push forward and to finish what you start. That鈥檚 something we鈥檝e all
been raised to believe. Once you start something, you finish it. I鈥檝e lived that all
my life.鈥�
Thanks to 网曝门鈥檚 generous scholarships, 网曝门 talent grants and TOPS, Gabby will graduate
debt-free.
鈥淚 have never paid one dime the whole time she鈥檚 been at 网曝门,鈥� Shannon said. 鈥淗er
hard work has definitely paid off.鈥�
Shannon鈥檚 classmate Krisha Williams is also graduating at the same time as her child.
A native of Many, Krisha was a volunteer substitute teacher before she earned her
undergraduate degree from Northwestern State University in 2019. She now teaches 7th grade math at Many Junior High, where she was named Teacher of the Year for the school
and Sabine Parish Middle School Teacher of the Year last year. Krisha and her husband
have five children - three of which who are Division I student-athletes. Krisha decided
to pursue her Master of Arts in Teaching with a concentration in moderate special
education.
鈥溚孛� has helped me achieve my life鈥檚 goal,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 never too late. There
are many resources available. There are professors who are willing to help.鈥�
Krisha鈥檚 son Tavier will follow in his mother鈥檚 footsteps by pursuing a Master of
Science in Psychology from 网曝门 in the fall. A dean鈥檚 list member and a defensive back
for the Warhawks, Tavier will continue to play for the football team and work toward
becoming a counselor for future student-athletes.
鈥淚 had to learn how to juggle the stress of school and the stress of football. You
have to learn how to prioritize your time, which is the reason why I went into psychology,鈥�
he said. 鈥淭he physical health of your body is what鈥檚 always demanded, but I think
what needs to be stressed is that your mental health is just as important, if not
more.鈥�
He said that his mother, who often brought her iPad to the football stands to do homework,
models the importance of good mental health.
鈥淚鈥檓 really proud of her for finishing,鈥� Tavier said. 鈥淚 try to follow her lead. She鈥檚
always stressed that athletics can be taken from you at any moment, but what you learn
in your mind can never be taken from you.鈥�
Now that both Krisha and Tavier are armed with college degrees, they both want to
give back in their careers.
鈥淲e stress that whatever your gift is, use that gift to contribute to the world,鈥�
Krisha said. 鈥淒o whatever it takes to fulfill your dreams and reach back to help someone
else. We can let them see the glory that you have your degree, but you need to share
your story with them. Share that it wasn鈥檛 easy. There were many nights I sat at the
table and stressed over papers. I love that he would call or text to encourage me,
and that I could do that same for him.鈥�
When reflecting on what he has learned at 网曝门 and what he has learned from his mother,
Tavier emphasized the importance of perseverance.
鈥淚鈥檝e learned to keep pursuing. Don鈥檛 stop. Don鈥檛 ever quit, no matter how hard the
work is,鈥� he said. 鈥淢ake the time to keep going and keep pressing. It鈥檚 really never
too late to finish, which she helped me learn.鈥�
