Letter to the editor

Dear Editor,
My name is Elizabeth Dore and I am in the graduating class of 2005.
My story is somewhat different from others. Six years ago I moved to Price from Salt Lake City as a single parent when I was 21. My mother asked me “What are you going to do? In Price there are not a lot of jobs and you don’t even have a car!” I told her that I was going to do whatever it takes. In the fall of 2000 I started CEU taking only a few classes. I would walk with three kids and a double stroller half an hour-45 minutes to the baby sitter and then another half an hour to class and back again. Time depended on the weather, how enthusiastic we were to walk, and how many rocks my children wanted to pick up.
Walking was also a time to think and gave me extra study time. It also was a time to teach my kids to count to 100 and how many times we could do it. Sometimes an angel would come by and give us a lift. It really helped in the extremes of temperature and weather. I kept persevering even though I had a rough time with attendance, the hardness of a class, facing myself, and raising my young children.
In 2002 I planned to graduate but it would not be. I was at the bottom. I did not properly plan financially so I withdrew from CEU. I needed to get a job. I worked for a year and a half and learned more about my self-esteem, attitude and how to be a working mom. During this time I also got a good car and took my kids to Disneyland with an inheritance from my grandfather. After the year and half I was beside myself as what to do and I remembered my goals; one being getting a college education. I reapplied in the summer of 2004. Since then it has been amazing, not only did I get a break with having a car and having all my children potty-trained and in school. I got a break of it being easier, CEU’s student -support services helped tremendously, also other students are so much friendlier this time around and I guess I am more open to friendliness and to others.
A college degree can and cannot help you to get a job. For some it is only a pretty piece of paper. For me it is a paper that I have overcome and reached my goal. There have been so many improvements in Price since I have moved here. There are more sidewalks, stop signs and stores. Along with it is I feel is my own personal improvement. I know I have come a long way and still have farther to go. I think that it is ironic that since I am graduating with an associates of arts that I will be wearing all black. To me big black dresses represent mourning. I will be celebrating my mourning, and my past challenges I have conquered. For me to graduate would not have come if it had not been my angels who supported me and my family through the years. I have several of them; some who gave me inspiration, rides, smiles, patience, child care and many other means. A personal Thank You, to everyone who has helped make my life better.

Elizabeth Dore
student