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The Winner's Circle
This page is dedicated to single moms that are on their journey or have completed a step in the climb to success. Here you will find scholarship winner announcements, stories from single moms sharing their successes and other kudos to those lending a helping hand to single moms.
After the initial panic of my husband leaving subsided somewhat, I made my first big move towards pulling my life together—I registered for a spring class at my local college. I knew, after nine years of being a stay at home mom, I wasn’t going to be able to support myself, let alone my three children, without furthering my education. Our only real chance to rebuild our collective life was for me to earn my college degree. It took more than four years of hard work, all-nighters, and missed soccer games. But I kept plugging away, knowing that I had three little people counting on me to make everything all right.
As it turned out, attending college was absolutely the best thing I did for myself and my children for reasons I had not foreseen. Slowly, at first, and then much more quickly, I regained a sense of balance and stability through my classes and the support of my professors and friends. I learned it’s possible to stand firmly on less than solid ground and that hard work can quiet the soul into a desperately needed rest. Validation came, yes with good grades, but also with the smiles of those who came to know and appreciate me simply for showing up to one more class. At college, my eyes were opened to new people and ideas. My children were able to watch me grow in confidence, independence, and self worth, characteristics that brought back a sense of respectability to me and reassurance to them. I received much more than an education; I received recovery. No, resuscitation.
What would a program like SMILE have meant to me? Of course the scholarship award would have lightened the financial burden, but knowing someone believed in me and my abilities and, really, my future, would have been a great encouragement to me. It would have felt like a hug and a smile when I needed one most.
Congratulations to Tracy Henderson and Alexia Harris, the first SMILE scholarship recipients!
Kudos to our Supporters and Encouragers:
Winners include those who help us achieve our goals at SMILE.
Thank you to ATO Charities & Mantua Teresa's Pizza for supporting SMILE in our fundraising efforts.
