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Mother’s experience leads her to re-evaluateCourtesy photoDana Pope says a near-death experience when she was a teenager caused her to re-evaluate her future. She is now pursuing bachelor's degree in fine arts education and will graduate in spring 2014. Eventually she will earn her master’s degree as wellBy VICKIE GERDSENSpecial to the StarWhen Dana Pope graduated high school she had no desire to go to college and thought cutting hair would be quick and fun.Though she earned a degree in cosmetology and worked as a stylist, a neardeath experience in childbirth, at the age of 17, caused her to re-evaluate her future.Coming face-to-face with your own mortality can really change you,” Pope says.Though Pope was born and raised in Kansas, she moved to the Rio Grande Valley in 2005 and began attending the University of Texas at Brownsville. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in fine arts education and will graduate in spring 2014. Eventuallyshe will earn her masters degree as well.Her own family has grown since then and she has a 12-vear-old son, a 2-year-old daughter and another baby on the way. Although she is pursing a career in education, her children are her focus.Pope also enjoys painting, reading, scrapbooking and beachcombing, but, most of all, playing with her kids.The move in 2005 was difficult since this culture was alien to her. It has taken several years but she has embraced the Valley and wants to stay here,with her small family, happily employed by one of the local school districts. Her desire is to give back to the communities that have captured her imagination.When asked what her favorite part of the Valley isshe responded, with a chuckle, “Aguas frescas from the flea market.” When asked how she managed to juggle work, school and children she praised a very supportive family for her success.“But,” she said, I’m no different than a million other women. I'm in the proverbial rut of single parenthood, financial instability and noprospects.”Pope says this is why her education is so important; it is the key to becom-wing independent and escaping poverty' for herself and her children.Her advice to others in her situation is, No matter how hard it is, go to college, get a degree and then get a good job. It's the only way/’It was her experiences as a teenager that triggereda desire to make a difference with young people as an adult. As a church youth leader she became aware of the problems and faulty support systems teens deal with. However, it was after she became a teen mom that she realized she could share her life story through art and, perhaps, save some other teenager from the same difficult path.She chose art as her subject because of natural talent but, more to the point, she believes art can foster independent thinking, creativity and help inspire students to see beyond themselves and think outside the box.”Submit Slice of life suggestions to Metro Editor Charlene Vandim at 430-6244 or charlenev@valleystar.com orEd Asher 9S6-430-6290 eda@valleystarcom
Newspaper Details
Valley Morning Star
Harlingen, Texas, US
Sat, Sep 07, 2013
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Salina P.
KS, USA 04 Mar 2019
Other Publications Near Harlingen, Texas
Valley Morning Star
Harlingen Star
Harlingen Valley Sunday Star Monitor Herald
Harlingen Rio Grande Farmer
Harlingen Valley Weekly Star
