LightHouse alumna Anntoinette has finished her first year of college and now she’s going to Disney World!
Anntoinette was one of about 20 LightHouse alumns who shared exciting updates and swapped stories at the annual reunion.
The Grambling education major has been awarded a paid internship at Walt Disney World through August. She’s never flown and never been to the park, but she’s didn’t seem at all nervous.
“This is a once in a lifetime experience for me,” she said.
While Anntoinette didn’t join the LightHouse until her senior year, she said the program taught her about patience and cemented her dream of becoming a teacher.
Others at the reunion said the LightHouse took them out of their comfort zone and helped them stay focused on their goals. Deniesia, a freshman at Southern University in Baton Rouge credited LightHouse coordinator Dewanna Lovelace with much of her success.
“She cares about people,” Deniesia said. “The LightHouse made me a better person.”
As the students reconnected with old friends, they also shared stories of their successes and trial and offered advice to some of the younger students. For those still in the LightHouse, they had much wisdom.
Tiffany, a recent graduate of Northwestern State, said an internship helped her learn what she didn’t want to do but she still encouraged students to “nurture every talent you have.”
Exzavia, a Southern University-Shreveport student, echoed the advice of many of his peers and the LightHouse coordinators.
“Stay focused,” he said. “It’s going to be real hard, but keep going.”