Shont’e is a student at Mt. Olive University, Washington NC. Her immediate career goal is to obtain a Bachelor Degree in criminal justice so that she can help individuals who have made some wrong choices get a fresh start in life. Her long term career goal is to complete law school at Campbell University and become a criminal defense attorney.
Over the past several years, Shont’e has overcome a suicide attempt and major depression caused by six years in an abusive marriage. Within the marriage she suffered mental, physical, and verbal abuse. There were times that Shont’e nearly gave up hope of being able to complete school because each time she tried to start she had to stop for lack of funding and to raise her children, ages eight, five, and four.
Shont’e has managed to excel at school despite financial hardships and issues with her children. She reflects, “Who would have thought that the same woman who tried to kill herself a few years back would be preparing to walk across the stage in just a few months to obtain her first college degree? Some may see it as years late, but I see it as a major accomplishment and a sneak peak of the greater things to come in my life.”
Shont’e is not waiting until she finishes her education to put what she is learning into practice. As a volunteer Guardian Ad Litem advocate, she serves as a child’s voice in court and advocates on behalf of the child for services the child might need.