VALDOSTA — It was about six years ago that Leah Johnson learned she would soon be a mother. Although she was a senior in high school nearing graduation, the pressures of becoming a single mother kept her from earning her diploma for nearly a year.

In 2001, Johnson, returned to school for her General Educational Development Diploma, but she had greater goals of attending college. Another child on the way delayed her again, but Johnson finally began a college entry program at Valdosta State University earlier this year.

“My children motivated me to begin the process. I thought to myself as a mother. What can I say to them if they come to me saying ‘Mama, I want to drop out of high school,’ or ‘I don’t want to go to college,’ and I decided I wanted a better life for myself and my children,” Johnson said.

The South Georgia College Entry Program was established to prepare graduating or GED students not labeled as college preparatory for entrance into college. Students with a 2.0 average who complete the application process and score well on a COMPASS test can be admitted into the program and later enter into college.

SGCE has taken several students thought to not be college material and offered them the support needed to succeed.

“We have prepared over 417 students for college level entry. We will have our first UGA graduate this year and another who anticipates enrolling. Of those 417, three students are in law, one is pre-med and at least 16 have a 4.0. During their first semester, about 40 of those students have an A average, one-third of them have a B average and 78 percent have a C or better average,” said Joe Hathaway, who has been program director for eight years.

Johnson wants to maintain a perfect average, and her instructor, Tara Parker, says Johnson is one of the best essay writers in her class.

“Guidance counselors may be overworked or many have a stereotype of the ‘college student’ and many capable students aren’t being encouraged towards their true capabilities. Leah is definitely college material. She works harder than many of the others, walking to class two or more times a day, and she often comes early and stays late,” Parker said.

When Johnson began to take on her class college load she also juggled a night job and her children. She realized that to devote attention to her studies and tend to her children, she would have let go of her job. “I didn’t want to stop working, but I had to so that I could focus on doing my best in school and get a better job in the future. It is hard not having transportation or money to pay others for it, but I keep walking because there are so many stereotypes about single mothers, about welfare mothers. I don’t want to be a statistic,” she said.

Johnson hopes for a day when the city will offer affordable public transportation for women in her situation.

“It may cost the city to implement public bus systems, but if we can transport individuals like Leah to school, there will be thousands of dollars saved as they get off of public assistance and become contributors to this community, ” Parker said.

Johnson hopes to become a guidance counselor and is the first in her family to attend college. She is thankful for the support of her mother, church, teachers and children.

“My sons have been a true blessing to me. They’ll often ask me if I’ve done my homework and we’ll sit down and do our homework together. It is a blessing for me see and know that I’m stopping a cycle and starting a new a positive one for my children, and their children,” she said.