A 麻豆直播 graduating senior nears the end of her undergraduate career, but not without overcoming heavy obstacles to get there.
Kearies Shalon Washington, a Chicago native, was involved in a near-fatal car wreck upon returning back to campus after winter break in 2018.
鈥淢y car was totaled and I was left living off-campus without a vehicle,鈥� Washington said. 鈥淭his caused me to become heavily dependent on others to get to and from school.鈥�
Washington said she had to humble herself to get through the hard times.
鈥淚鈥檓 not a person who likes to ask for help, but I was in a position where I needed the help,鈥� Washington said. 鈥淚 thank everyone who helped me get through that rough patch.鈥�
Washington said her faith kept her going.
鈥淲hat really kept me motivated to push past this obstacle is knowing that God kept me here for a reason,鈥� Washington said. 鈥淎t that point, I knew I had to accomplish every goal that I had set for myself.鈥�
Washington continues to set big goals for herself. Upon graduation, she will begin the first year of a four-and-a-half-year pharmacy program.
鈥淭he first year-and-a-half will be spent at Indiana University Southeast and the last three years will be spent at Sullivan School of Pharmacy,鈥� Washington said. 鈥淯pon completion, I will be a Doctor of Pharmacy.鈥�
When it came time to select a college, Washington said Kentucky State wasn鈥檛 in her top three. However, the distance from Chicago (far enough away to miss home but close enough to go home) and smaller class sizes changed her mind.
During her undergraduate career, she was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; Gospel Ensemble and Pre-College Academy.
Washington also offered advice to students still pursuing a degree.
鈥淲hen things get hard, think about the reward waiting for you at the finish line,鈥� Washington said.