She giggles like an 18 year old and she loves fashion magazines like an 18 year old but Quenesha is wise beyond 18. You may have seen her story on the front cover of the Democrat and Chronicle in June. (http://rocnow.com/article/local-news/20106230342). Check it out if you want to be inspired.
Here's the summary. Things were not good in her Rochester home and she left two days before her 16th birthday. She lived on her own and kept focused, sharply focused. How did she do it? I don't know. She saw so many examples of what not to do while growing up. She not only figured out what was right; she followed that right path too.
Quenesha graduated from high school a year early. I met her the summer before her senior year. She wanted to be a journalist. We met and talked about the industry and she asked me to be an advisor on her senior project. My life was very busy but I could not say no. Quenesha would have succeeded on her own but I wanted to stay in her life just to make sure that success came her way.
We talked deadlines and articles for her senior project. That soon turned into deadlines and essays for college applications. I knew she was deserving of a spot at any college she wanted to go to. I just hoped the colleges would recognize it, too. They did. I think she got into every school she applied to including my alma mater. I was so happy she wanted to go to the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University although I secretly worried and wondered about the high price of tuition.
Then one night in April she called me with good news. She received a full scholarship to Syracuse! I was 9 months pregnant and on bed rest but seriously considered climbing a mountain to yell from the top of it how proud I was of her.
Quenesha went to a summer session at Syracuse and then went back in the fall to officially start her freshman year. I loved hearing about her classes, all her new friends and the things she was learning about life. She would be worried about a paper or a test and would end up getting an A. She continues to amaze me. She would kill me if I included her actual GPA in this blog so I'll just tell you that she did very well.
I know Quenesha is out having fun today. She deserves every fun moment. Happy 18th birthday Q!
