Grambling State University - Tiger Yearbook (Grambling, LA)

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330 Tiger Life sj Brenda and Miranda walk to class. Willie the HI gets a lift. SAA” Challenging: How would you like to attend school on a full-time basis, change diapers, ‘‘pottie train’ a child, cook, pay bills, stay at home most of the time, study beside a small child and be a parent without the benefit of a spouse? So you say the answer is no. Well, that’s not the case with several Gramblinites who have adjusted to the unique world of single parenthood. Three GSU students were interviewed on the subject and each had a different story to tell. =| Brenda Ann Burton, an early childhood education major, is currently raising her two-year-old daughter Miranda and attend- ing classes full-time. From 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Brenda goes to school while Miranda stays at Mount Olive Day Care. ‘My mother in Hammond could keep her while I’m in school, but I prefer for her to be with me,” the 24-year-old Gramblinite noted. Of course, there is never a dull moment with a child around. “There is always something to do like studying, cooking or | changing diapers,”’ the junior admitted. Although her friends sometimes babysit for her, Brenda says her social life has definitely changed. “I just don’t have much time anymore.” Occasionally, Miranda attends classes with her mother. “‘She’s definitely the center of attraction,’ Ms. Burton revealed. Apparently most students spend more time playing with Miranda than they do listening to the lecturer. “She talks to everyone in class,” said the Hammond native with a smile. The life of a single parent is definitely a challenge. “You have to take on a lot of responsibility and learn to live on your own,” she revealed. One thing that disturbs Brenda is the situation with Miranda’s father. “He attends school and doesn’t help out,” she said. In summary, Ms. Burton remarked, “Since I had the baby, I’ve hit the books more and become more serious. I only wish I had done that earlier.” ’ Not all single parents are females. Willie World Sampson II is charged with the responsibility of raising his two and-a-half-year- . old son Willie the III. -“T helped bring this offspring into the world, and now I must take care of him. It’s my duty,” related the electronics major. He and the child’s mother, who lives in New Orleans, have a working arrangement concerning the care of Willie the III. She keeps him about a month-and-a-half and then I do the same, he explained. During the spring semester Willie and his child were frequently seen either going to or in class. “Everywhere I go he goes. If he can’t go, then I can’t,” related Willie, who also emphasized his social life was severely cramped because of his responsibilities. But he said if he had to do it all over again, he wouldn’t change anything. His most difficult time with Willie the III was during the child’s first year. “That was when I had to change diapers and prepare milk.” Learning how to take care of a child definitely matured Willie. “Now I’m spending time with someone I really care for — and this keeps me off the streets,” he related. Willie said he didn’t have trouble studying with a child near-

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It’s chow time! These field rations really hit the spot. A Tiger moves out. Photos by ANTHONY MOORE When the going gets tough, the tough ... Tiger Life 329

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Single Parents Lead Unique Lives by. “‘My son has a book to read when I’m studying—he under- stands.” Sampson, who has job offers in Texas, California and Virgin- ia, offers this advice: If you’re thinking about having children, think long and hard, because it requires a lot of sacrifice and time to bring a child up right. Wanting a child is easy, but tak- ing care of one is hard.” c “Just remember,”’ he remarked, ‘‘a boy can make a child, but it takes a man to take care of one.” Agatha Gail Watley only brings her son Coreontae Quintez to campus on weekends. “He usually stays with my parents during the week,” she ex- plained. Agatha commutes from Ruston and says she receives help not only from her parents, but from her son’s father, who works in Dallas. The graduating senior plans to move there after spring com- mencement exercises. ““We’re planning to marry next year between April and June. By then we should be established,” she remarked. Ms. Watley admitted it’s hard studying with a four-year-old nearby. “They try to study with you.” She also said her most difficult time was when Coreontae was in diapers. “‘But once he was ‘pottie trained,’ things got better.” The Bernice native said she wanted to participate in more university activities, but couldn’t because she felt an obligation aoa : ; : oe Se Agatha and Coreontae relax in the square. Willie and son listen attentively. towards her child. “Actually, the experience hasn’t changed me that much. It did teach me about responsibility.” Another advantage of being a parent is “that you have someone you can call your very own,” she remarked. The management major confessed that Coreontae is definitely going to be a smart man. ‘‘Why he already works in the garden and feeds the dogs—Ed and Al, who are regularly pelted with Coreontae’s water pistol. “Being a single parent is not easy, but if you trust in God, you will make it,”’ she advised. Last May 18 around 11:30 a.m., Ms. Watley and Sampson were graduated in T.H. Harris Auditorium. Willie and Agatha in spring ... +.» exercises,