University of Texas at Austin Archives

#306| Reaching For The Stars

November 2, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway 2 Comments

Today’s photo features Valencia K. Campbell of the blog, Church Decoded.

Valencia graduated with full honors from the University of Texas-Austin in May.

In August, she became a first-year law student at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.

Valencia, whose father passed away when she was 12, is reaching for the stars on her journey to become an attorney.

No matter your age or season in life, know there is always a “star” to reach for.

It’s the start of a new week, and we’re in a new month – let’s reach!

Join in the Fray: What are you “reaching” for?

The Swirl World Team is committed to sharing 365 days of inspiration in 2015. Our goal is to help you stay motivated and inspired by bringing you positive, uplifting images and corresponding thoughts.

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

#143| Sisters From Another Mother

May 24, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

“One thing is clear to me: We, as human beings, must be willing to accept people who are different from ourselves.”

~Barbara Jordan

We’ve been featuring UT-Austin 2015 graduate Valencia Campbell all weekend.

From a recent Facebook post Valencia wrote:

“When I came to college, I asked God for sisters. I’ve got two amazing big brothers, but no sisters. Because He’s that awesome, He gave me these @alli_stinnett & @blackswan______ . It’s so great to be connected to such amazing people who accept you for who you are and only make you better. I hope they’ve adjusted to me, because I love them too much to go anywhere! Lol”

With all the negative talk surrounding women – and Black women in particular – and our supposed inability to get along, we’re always grateful to see examples of “sisters from another mother” who defy the odds.

They love and appreciate each other. They’re not too proud to admit how much they need and rely on one another.

In essence, they tear down stereotypes, not each other!

These three young women met as freshmen at UT-Austin and became best friends. Each with their own individual stories, they accepted each others differences and leveraged what they had in common.

They saw one another through tough times, providing inspiration and encouragement whenever needed.

They gave each other tough love.

Through it all, they reached their goal. Yesterday, these young women graduated with Bachelor degrees.

Woot!

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

#143| Get The Work Done!

May 23, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

“My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.”

~Maya Angelou

Graduates, get out there and get the work done – the work of living and loving life!

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

#141| What Are You Saying?

May 22, 2015 By Michelle Matthews-Calloway Leave a Comment

Our words are forerunners of the events in the future. Those that say they can, can. Those that say they can´t, can’t. ~Charles Capps

Today’s post features Valencia Campbell, a young lady I’ve watched grow up since she was a little girl.

Valencia’s father, Valentine Campbell, passed away suddenly when she was barely 12 years old.

Ten years later, Saturday, May 23, at age 22 she graduates with full honors from the University of Texas-Austin (and as the Black Valedictorian of the School of Social Works).

And that’s not all.

This is Valencia’s Facebook post from April 13:

“Sooooo…this came in the mail today, & while I already knew what it said, I still almost cried. I’ve been talking about law school since high school (at least), & now I’m finally in. Me? The girl who lost her dad @ 12? The one who watched other people say the same things she did & fail? The one who wondered if she could really make this happen? The one who had to fight & struggle to be the person everybody sees today? Me…admitted into LAW SCHOOL?!!! SMU LAW SCHOOL?!! AND I got a Dean’s scholarship?!!! WHAT?!!! This has been one of the best seasons of my life thus far, & I’m forever grateful to God that He helped me make it through that story and into this glory (dahhhhh!!! lol)…‪#‎mamaImadeit ‪#‎justgotreal ‪#‎lawschool”

Despite the multitude obstacles Valencia and her mother Linda faced after Valentine’s death, both women kept saying “I can. We can. We will – and we are.”

What are you saying in reference to your goals?

Are you saying, “I can” – or are you expending energy (and wasting words) talking about all the ~~excuses~~ reasons why you can’t?

In another post, Valencia says,

Do you see this face? This is the face of somebody that’s happy. This is the face of somebody that’s been blessed beyond her imagination (and is only 22). THIS is the face of somebody who JUST GOT INTO SMU LAW SCHOOL!!!! Thank you Jesus!! I’m so excited! One step closer to my dreams!! #mamaImadeit #allthingsworking #shessmart #lawschool #imcominghome

This weekend we celebrate Valencia and all 2015 college graduates, both on our Facebook page and here on the blog.

Congratulations!

We’d love to FEATURE YOU in one of our Inspiration Daily posts! If you’d like to be featured, please send a nice, clear photo to InspirationDaily@TheSwirlWorld.com.

#306| Reaching For The Stars

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#143| Sisters From Another Mother

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#143| Get The Work Done!

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#141| What Are You Saying?

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