By Stacy Murphy
CCC Journalism Program
Kelly Viola is 25 years old and has been attending Camden County College off and on since 18. Student, mother and wife, she juggles these never-ending roles 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
When she started at CCC, she studied to be an elementary education teacher. Now she’s looking into getting a degree in liberal arts.
At 20 years old, Viola had to make a life decision either to continue college full time with a baby or take a few semesters off while the baby was still young. She figured the smarter thing was to take off to raise her daughter, Gianna, and wait until she started preschool. Last year, Viola gave birth to her second daughter, Isabella.
As happy as she is to have two daughters, it’s going to be that much harder to go back to school. “Ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted to be a mother. Even if I never get my dream job, at least I have two beautiful daughters to come home to every night,” Viola said.
Viola started back last semester as a full-time student. “It’s a lot harder with two children than one but it will be that much better when I reach my goal because I had to struggle a little to get it,” she said.
She also mentioned that even though her 100 percent focus isn’t always going to be with school because she is a mother and wife, it seems she takes school a lot more seriously now. The most important thing to her is getting through school so her family can have a better life.