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Written by: Crystal Ferone, Health Services Administration students, KU Fort Myers

 My name is Crystal Ferone, I am currently enrolled at Keiser University, Fort Myers campus in the Health Services Administration program. I have to say that my experience at KU has been overwhelming (in a good way). I am a stay at home mom, a wife, and a full time student. I never imagined the amount of success I would achieve. In April of 2014 I was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and then shortly after I was elected President of our Chapter Beta Tau Tau. To have the opportunity to be a part of Phi Theta Kappa has been extremely fulfilling. It is nice to be rewarded for my academic success because I work so hard at it. My advisor Mr. Rob Knox has been my mentor. He pushes me, has my back and is there to make our chapter a success. In February of this year I was chosen to be a part of the 2015 All Florida Academic Team. My campus President, Dean, and my advisor brought me on campus to show their utmost congratulations on my success. I stood in front of my peers and told them that their belief in me is what drives me and I want them to know that I will help them in any way to be just as successful. Even though it was a little embarrassing, but I don’t mind.

On April 9th my family and I traveled to Tallahassee, FL to be part of the 2015 All Florida Academic Team Ceremony. We were treated like royalty. We enjoyed a sit down luncheon, had some entertainment, and had the pleasure of being in the same room as some very inspirational people. I was handed a medal from Pam Stewart who is the Commissioner of the Florida Department of Education. She said thank you for being a contributing member of the State of Florida. I have to say that at that moment I realized how important it is to do your best and believe in yourself no matter how hard it is. The shining moment is when they introduced us and said “these 124 students you see have been chosen out of the 900,000 students in the Florida education system”. I became very proud.

If you were to ask me two years ago if I thought I could handle being a stay at home mom and a full time student I would have probably laughed in your face all while saying NO. As challenging it is to balance home and school, I have been able to face every obstacle. If it was easy everyone would be enrolled in college. The staff at Keiser University has been wonderful. It is nice to know that they are in my cheering section. To my fellow classmates I ask to all of you how bad do you want it? That question drives me every day. My success is the answer to that question. I wish everyone happiness and success in every aspect of your life.