| There are so many people who inspire me in my life. | | | | announced that I would be attending the University of |
| One of the most significant in my life was Earl | | | | Kansas. Since I was only 17, I needed my parent's |
| McCray, my grade school and high school music | | | | signature. My father refused to sign declaring that I |
| teacher. He believed in me when I did not know how | | | | was a d____ girl and did not deserve a college |
| to believe in myself. | | | | education. So much for a scholarship to KU. |
| Just a bit of background which puts that in perspective. | | | | By now, I was even more determined to earn a |
| I say this from the heart in order to inspire others to | | | | college degree. Long story short, I found a ride to |
| know they can not only survive difficult situations but | | | | Kansas State College of Pittsburgh and ran away |
| actually thrive. | | | | from home. |
| Picture me as a little 3 year old girl with long dark | | | | No money, no job and no place to live but an iron will |
| brown finger curls spiraling down my back. I am | | | | determination to succeed. Was it easy? Absolutely not. |
| standing in the Kansas sunshine out by the barn on the | | | | I somehow managed to get a place to live in the dorm, |
| farm with my daddy. He looks down at me and says, | | | | old Willard Hall. I found a job at the college. I lived on |
| you're just a d_____ girl. I didn't want you. I wanted a | | | | grilled cheese sandwiches and extra pickles at the |
| boy who would be worth something." You can imagine | | | | College Inn Café. Yes, I know that was horrible |
| the shock and hurt. | | | | nutrition but it was the cheapest item on the menu. |
| I ran to my mother in tears. She confirmed that they | | | | It was during my time at Pittsburg State College that I |
| were both disappointed and that they had wanted | | | | met my second mentor, Dr. Bill Reilly. Doc, as we |
| another boy. | | | | affection ally called him, was not only a law professor |
| Something inside me, maybe my stubborn pride, made | | | | but an absolutely brilliant man. I had the privilege of |
| a decision that day. I decided to make them proud of | | | | being his student secretary for 2 years. His vocabulary |
| me. Instead of rebelling, I became the ideal obedient | | | | was so extensive that I literally sat with the dictionary |
| child. In the days and years to follow, I studied the | | | | to transcribe his dictation. He was such an inspiration in |
| piano; I read every book within my grasp. I learned the | | | | so many ways. In fact, we remained in touch until 3 |
| c melody saxophone, then the e flat alto saxophone | | | | years ago when he passed away. |
| and then the b flat clarinet. I sang in all of the small | | | | My mentors, my stubborn determination and the grace |
| groups and choirs. I participated in all of the school | | | | of God contributed to my graduation from college in 3 |
| plays. In order to participate in any extra activities after | | | | years with a double major, double minor, and a |
| school, I stayed in town with an unmarried aunt. | | | | Superior Student designation. No, my parents did not |
| Actually, staying with Aunt Mara was fun. I enjoyed the | | | | attend my high school or college graduation; however, |
| experience very much. | | | | Doc Reilly gave me a graduation party with all of my |
| My music offered me not only creative expression but | | | | favorite professors and special friends. He even gave |
| also an opportunity to be around people who valued | | | | me long stem roses from his personal rose garden. |
| me. Earl McCray constantly encouraged me to | | | | Roadblocks, challenges and disappointment can either |
| challenge myself. His most significant encouragement | | | | crush us or make us stronger. I chose to grow and |
| came at the time of my high school graduation. Earl | | | | achieve despite the circumstances. Hmmmm, maybe |
| told me to apply for scholarships to the University of | | | | my strength actually grew from the challenges even |
| Kansas. I did. | | | | more than it would have with an easier path. |
| Thanks to Earl and Dale Lemon, my high school | | | | I'm grateful for everything in my past. Yes, grateful. It |
| principal, I received that coveted scholarship. Imagine | | | | shaped me to become the strong leader and |
| my pride as I brought home the paperwork and | | | | successful entrepreneur which I am today. |