the GED, the two both quickly answer
that high school is not the end of the
line. Joanne aspires to become a licensed RN, while Shakedra simply
looks forward to being a normal colJoanne, 42, explained how her
friendship with Shakedra was a major lege student like others her age. They
look forward to working with the
support for both of them on their
learning journey. “I‟m motivating her Learning Center‟s partnership with
UALR TRIO, an organization that visto get hers and she‟s motivating me
its Our House once a week to counsel
to get mine.”
non-traditional students through the
difficult process of taking entrance
“I wouldn't have been as motivated
without Joanne,” followed Shakedra. exams and applying to college. But
all of that seems easy to handle to
“I don‟t think I would be here.”
these two amazing women, who
count on friendship to help them
“We study together,” Joanne added.
through.
“And hopefully we‟ll be walking the
stage together, holding hands and
“Oh, we‟re going to college,” says a
laughing.”
smiling Joanne. “And we‟ll still be on
each other‟s side.”
When asked how determined they
are to continue their education after
such a daunting task, such as persistence and positivity, must come from
within.