2008 Woodie Awards
Graduating as the head of a household
Ashley Tate, News Reporter
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: Graduation
While other high school students were getting ready for their senior prom, Sylvia L. Thomas said she was trying to figure out how the bills were going to get paid.
Thomas, a senior at Youngstown State University who is graduating this spring, said she grew up much faster at 17 years old than others her age because her mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
A nursing major, Thomas said she has been taking care of mother for ten years and even though she still went to her prom, this responsibility has made her "a better mother and a better woman."
A mother of two boys, Chamond, 5, and Chamir, turning 2 this month, Thomas said she doesn't take life for granted.
Working full time at Valley Home Health Care in Boardman, attending school, and being a caretaker for her mother, Thomas said, "It's very time consuming and stressful at times, but it's what I've been dealt. They depend on me, but I make it every day."
If Thomas didn't have her mother or boys to look after, she said she would be enjoying activities that other young people do like going out more instead of being pressed to work. She said she has to find a babysitter for everything.
"I don't know what it feels like to not have any responsibilities," Thomas said. "I can't do many fun things but that comes and goes. I would be more outgoing if I didn't have any responsibilities."
Balancing between her family, work and school is "chaotic," Thomas said. When the kids are asleep is when Thomas said she tries to study. If not then, she said she goes to sleep late or gets up early. She is also involved in study groups.
"I'm the one that suffers and don't get much sleep, but it's a process that I have to do in order to make it," she said.
When Thomas has time put aside for herself, she said she likes to get her hair done and go shopping, but this usually happens once or twice a month.
Thomas said her other hobbies include attending church, watching movies with her boys, going to the park and "just regular things, like eating. Everyone loves to eat. Or sleep when I get a chance."
Thomas, a senior at Youngstown State University who is graduating this spring, said she grew up much faster at 17 years old than others her age because her mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
A nursing major, Thomas said she has been taking care of mother for ten years and even though she still went to her prom, this responsibility has made her "a better mother and a better woman."
A mother of two boys, Chamond, 5, and Chamir, turning 2 this month, Thomas said she doesn't take life for granted.
Working full time at Valley Home Health Care in Boardman, attending school, and being a caretaker for her mother, Thomas said, "It's very time consuming and stressful at times, but it's what I've been dealt. They depend on me, but I make it every day."
If Thomas didn't have her mother or boys to look after, she said she would be enjoying activities that other young people do like going out more instead of being pressed to work. She said she has to find a babysitter for everything.
"I don't know what it feels like to not have any responsibilities," Thomas said. "I can't do many fun things but that comes and goes. I would be more outgoing if I didn't have any responsibilities."
Balancing between her family, work and school is "chaotic," Thomas said. When the kids are asleep is when Thomas said she tries to study. If not then, she said she goes to sleep late or gets up early. She is also involved in study groups.
"I'm the one that suffers and don't get much sleep, but it's a process that I have to do in order to make it," she said.
When Thomas has time put aside for herself, she said she likes to get her hair done and go shopping, but this usually happens once or twice a month.
Thomas said her other hobbies include attending church, watching movies with her boys, going to the park and "just regular things, like eating. Everyone loves to eat. Or sleep when I get a chance."
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