As Quansheeba Kennedy reviews her DCCC transcript in preparation to transfer to Salem College, she can hardly believe she has a 3.3 grade point average and that she was accepted into the prestigious private college with a selective admissions policy.

It took two false starts before the 22-year-old Thomasville resident found her true calling, elementary education, and more importantly, before she found and reaffirmed the value of herself. She thought back to when she was only 18 years old but felt “overwhelmed by life.” She had just graduated from high school when she was in a serious car accident.

“I almost killed myself, not by drinking and driving, not by partying, but because I was living a life that was overwhelming,” she said. One must work hard, but not waste time. Goofing off during school is a killer. It kills your achievement and your chances for outstanding success now and later.