Articles - Spring 2009 - return to index
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| Shawnell Tolliver - "It was my dream to go to college and this scholarship has made it all possible" |
Achieving Dreams
From footbag to bookbag—
Shawnell Tolliver pursues a transfer degree
-By Kristan Dauble and Daniel Moret
For Shawnell Tolliver,
attending Lane is a dream come true. “Anybody has the potential to do
what they want—as long as they want
it bad enough,” says Shawnell. “My
dream was to go to college, and now
I am here doing that. Lane has made
that all possible.”
Shawnell has overcome some tough circumstances in her life. She grew up with the absence of her parents and was moved from house to house to live with various relatives. She struck out on her own at 16 and learned to be self-sufficient by working and attending high school at the same time.
Shawnell is pursuing her associate
of arts Oregon transfer degree and
expects to complete it in 2009. She
also participates in internships,
volunteers at Greenhill Humane
Society, and competes in
footbagging (also known as Hacky
Sack) at a national level.
After receiving her AAOT, she plans to transfer to either the University of Oregon or Oregon State University to earn a bachelor’s in psychology and biology.
Many students earn their first two years of credits at Lane and then transfer to a four-year university. These students benefit from Lane’s smaller classes and personal instruction, as well as lower tuition.
Research shows that 75 percent of Lane graduates feel “well” or “very well” prepared for university studies.
“Career and Life Planning was the best and
most interesting class I’ve taken so far,” says
Shawnell. She praises instructor Marguerite
Crew, and says that the “class made me think a lot about who I am and to be
proud and grateful and happy that I am
who I am. The book that she wrote for the
class helped me put myself out there and
explore my options and really think.”
Eventually, Shawnell wants to obtain a Ph.D. in psychology, then open her own practice and work with adolescents. “I just want to help. That’s all.”
She also hopes to someday reign as the world’s best female freestyle footbagger. “I treat footbagging like any other sport: you need dedication and practice to succeed.”
Shawnell is a recipient of a Gilma
Greenhoot scholarship from the Lane
Community College Foundation. She says
the award made going to college possible
and gave her inspiration. “It’s as if
someone noticed me and my potential to
succeed. Graduating high school and
receiving this scholarship from Lane are
my two biggest achievements to date.”
Shawnell has a remarkable passion for life. She believes that anything is possible with enough motivation. For her, Lane is providing an opportunity to achieve her dreams.
Find out more about scholarship opportunities at Lane at: 2011sitearchive.lanecc.edu/foundation/scholarships.htm
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