Education = Empowerment

Jackie Guillory, the first SMORE candidate to complete a degree, graduated in 2020 from Lamar University with a degree in Social Work. She is a native of Port Arthur, Texas and worked on this degree for many years. She is pictured here with her professor Dr. Ginger Gummelt. Jackie was inducted into the Social Work National Honor Society.
When Jackie was twelve years old her mother died and Jackie took charge of the household responsibilities. To this day she has been a servant to others. She is a sweet soul and has common sense as well. Working with her has been an honor and a privilege. 
We are very proud of her and her accomplishments.

​Betty Bernard is an empowered mother of two daughters. She holds an Associate’s Degree from Lamar Port Arthur and is two semesters away for obtaining a Bachelor’s from Lamar University. She  works at  W.R. Grace in Pasadena, Texas where she is a Quality Control Technician.​
She says, “Getting an education has made me knowledgeable in areas that are of my interest. Education is empowering because it is a process of continuous learning acquired at any time or any age. Taking advantage of academic and career opportunities has influenced me to become a well-rounded and grounded individual in my profession.” 

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​Lisa Carson began achieving higher education when she joined the military reserves to qualify for the GI Bill. She chose the fast track to start a career in nursing because her husband at the time was in the Navy and they relocated often. She says, “ Education has empowered me to become independent financially, to have my own home and to provide for my kids. I have a fulfilling job as a nurse for a contractor of the Federal Prison In Beaumont. I work in the infectious disease department and am part of the Bureau of Prisons team that helps protect the public.” 

​​Amanda Conway became a single mom at the age of 20. She dropped out of college and began working full time. She says, “I was blessed at the age of 25 to be able to take classes at LIT in Beaumont. My job allowed me to take classes, I also took mini sessions, summer courses, night classes and online classes and graduated Magna Cum Laude with an Associates Degree of Applied Science in Real Estate in May of 2012. I passed the Real Estate Licensing Exam and obtained my Salesperson License and am now doing Real estate as well as Property Management here locally and thriving. I strongly feel that without being able to further my education, I would have struggled to this day to make ends meet. I have also had a ton of familial support along the way.”

​Norma Guidry​
Norma has a BS in Nursing. She works as a service coordinator for a managed care healthcare organization. She says, “My education has allowed me to secure a work from home job that provides me the financial ability to provide for my daughter and the flexibility to be very active in helping her set a strong educational foundation for her future. SMORE was instrumental in helping me heal from the emotional impact of divorce, therefore clearing the way to a healthy co-parenting relationship.”
She volunteers at her daughter’s school, her church food pantry and in their cooking ministry as well as working with SMORE.

​Allison Leger is a single mother of five. She says, “I realize I am one of the lucky ones. My parents wrote a check for my education every semester-books and all. I value my education very much. While in college, though I had low self esteem, I learned that I could start something and finish it.  I found my voice, learned how to make decisions for myself and believe in me. And I’ve had to go back to these roots over and over personally and professionally.” 
Allison is a Collision Estimator at Collision and Classics. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications with emphasis in corporate communication from Lamar University. 
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​ Kay Miller
College after divorce, with two small children and at forty wasn't the easiest decision. It was the wisest decision though. It kept me from wallowing in the self-pity of failure and it allowed me to find validity in myself again.  It also provided a more stable income for me and my boys.
God was and is still so faithful to me. His provisions with help from friends, financial assistance and scholarships were blessings in my life! The college experience also taught my boys a lot about priorities and responsibilities.  It wasn't always easy but it was the best thing I have ever done for me and my children. 

She holds an Associate of Applied Science degree as a legal secretary. After her divorce she returned to college at 38 years of age and earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Performance as a Session Musician. She says, “Education gave me the ability to control my circumstances rather than my circumstance controlling me.”

Devyn Riffe ​says, “ Receiving a higher education has given me the opportunity to be in control of my destiny.”
She is a realtor with Triangle Real Estate.
She earned a degree in Process Operations from L.I.T.

​Single Moms who have received a Program for Continuing Education (PCE)
 Grant from P.E.O.

Tanisha Brown earned:
1. A Associate’s Degree in Office Technology, 
2. A Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and 
3. A Master’s Degree in Business Strategic Leadership.

“I feel as if education has empowered me because if I can make it through college, work full time and be a full time parent, there is nothing that I can’t do!
The thing that kept me going through rough times was GOD’S grace and mercy and my son. I wanted to actually finish something that I started. I didn’t want to give up just because things were tough because I knew that
it wasn’t all about me anymore; I had my son depending on me.
Not only was he depending on me but also he was watching everything that I did and he is still watching me." 

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​Natausha Clark  earned an Associate’s Degree from Lamar Institute of Technology. She was selected for the STAR Award.
She authored, A Cry for Help, and God Answers which tells her story of overcoming many heartbreaks and abusive situations.
She recently became the Program Director/Case Manager at Life Span Home Health in Houston.
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“I realize that the decisions I make today determine what my tomorrow will look like.  So, I chose to take control of my future by returning to school to receive the training and education that I need for the workforce.” 

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Sheri Dietz
Earning a degree in computer drafting has allowed me to get a steady dependable job. It has lifted the stress load of not knowing how I’m going to pay the bills each month, to now being able to plan, save, budget, and most of all pay all my bills and pay them on time! I would add that from the years of struggling so much and cutting all extras out and living strictly and frugally has helped me be more aware of the value of saving and budgeting. I appreciate keeping it simple and that allows me to better plan and prepare for my future now that I finally can.   

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​Shelandria Lee has overcome great odds to earn a Applied Arts and Sciences. She works at Lamar University as an Administrative Assistant. She has a grown son who is working  and a daughter who will graduate from college next year. Shelandria maintains a faithful attitude. Her motto is, "Without God it cannot be done." I have great admiration for Shelly. 

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​ Latasha Sames
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“I have an Associate’s Degree in Office Administration. My education has empowered me by earning me a higher position on my job which came with an increased rate of pay which of course was much needed.”
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LaTasha is an Administrative Assistant II for the City of Beaumont Streets and Drainage Division.

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Maigan Sharp
Going back to college was a decision I made to be an example for my boys. This is a way to better our lives and help us gain bigger and better things. The end is near and our future looks bright.

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