Nineteen Fifty-Six Vol. 2 No. 5

“My grandma is extremely beneficial.
she’s who I turn to whenever I’m in a rut or I feel as
though I need someone to talk to. She has shaped
my patience and determination into who I am today.
When I think of Grandma’s hands I think of a gentle,
kind loving hand, and cooking.”
Breniya Shrieves, Sophomore
Political Science (Pre-Law)
“Growing up I’ve always had two
grandmothers and both of them mean
the world to me. They have taught me what
it is to be a woman and how to be a woman in a
relationship. They’ve taught me about modesty,
self-respect and self-love and that’s something
that I can never say thank you enough for. They
have taught me about confidence, beauty and selflove.”
Tonya Samples, Sophomore
Hospitality Management
“My grandmother Clara M. Purse was
a wonderful lady. Sadly she is no longer
with us, she transitioned August of 2021. Me and
her were very close, I used to take her shopping
and paying bills and we enjoyed being in each
other’s company. Out of everyone in my family I
was compared to her the most. We both shared
interests such as fashion and singing. She was the
glue that brought everyone together at her home
and helped so many people in times of need that it
encouraged me to do the same. She taught me to
remain forever young. Even though she was older
in age she still had spunk and was fabulous. I will
always love her and cherish our memories together
and one day we will meet again.”
Eddie Coats, Freshman
Theater Arts
“[My grandmother’s] hands show her
life and I respect her for that. Also, I imagine a
grandmother sitting on her porch, staring at
children playing, she’s looking at her legacy.”
Keia Ervin, Sophomore
Creative Media
“My Grandmother has a huge part into
shaping me into the person I am today.
She helped raise me, placed meals on the table
(even now she’ll make me a juicy steak), and spoiled
me. She tries to push me to be a better person,
and I know that if I ever need anything she will do
all she can to help. When she’s not making Greek
dogs and burgers for the family, she’s helping me
do my laundry on the weekends. I know if I ever
need advice she is always going to be honest. And
I know that whenever I’m not doing it myself,
she’s praying for me. My grandmother shaped
me into an independent, hardworking, faithful,
disciplined, and supportive young lady. She is part
of the reason I’ve made it to where I am today,
and why I choose to keep pushing. Without her, I
honestly don’t know who I would be today.”
Zariah Orr, Sophomore
Aerospace Engineering & Physics
“My grandmother has grown into one
of my closest friends because the older I get
the more I seek her wisdom. As a child, I loved her
house because she was always cooking and giving
me whatever I wanted. My granny always told me
to believe who someone is the first time they show
me and to not make up in my own mind who I
want people to be. Grandma’s hands remind me of
laying in my grandmother’s lap in church as she
sang along with the choir.”
Deja Evan, Sophomore
Public Relations
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