The road to a college education comes in either two forms: traditional or non-traditional. The traditional route is well paved, having been travelled by many and is often viewed as easier and less time consuming. But Victoria Singleton, a junior from Conway, Arkansas, has shown that sometimes earning an education can wait. Because while you may not be going to class, receiving grades, and doing homework you can have practical life experiences that trump all of those previous things. Singleton shows that what she gained during her three years off from school makes it all worth being a 24-year-old junior.
After graduating from high school, Singleton stayed close to home, attending Central Baptist College in Conway. She was there for a year and a half before wanting a change.
“I [thought] ‘I don’t know what I’m doing with my life.’” Singleton recalled. “Then I applied for the Dream Center.”
The Los Angeles Dream Center, a renovated Catholic hospital and birthplace of Marilyn Monroe, is a volunteer-driven organization that assists their campus’ surrounding area through various medical, spiritual and educational programs. The Dream Center would become Singleton’s home for the next two years.
With over 100 campuses worldwide, the Dream Center offers all kinds of ministries, enabling Singleton to get involved in many ways. She was a part of the worship team, provided basic needs for underprivileged families, worked with special needs children, and taught four times a week in low-income neighborhoods.
Reflecting on the emotional, yet beneficial, nights spent in California, Singleton cherishes the deep bonds established with the other members during her two years at the center. She claimed not everyone can perform the work she did in LA, but if you have the right mindset, it can be very impacting. “It definitely builds you if you allow it to.”
After two years in California, Singleton wasted no time in seeking out her next adventure, and quickly decided to take her talents across the globe to Germany. She attended an international school where she focused on learning the German language. This allowed her to immerse herself in the surrounding culture at a deeper level. “It’s cool because once you’re in Europe you can easily travel to other countries. So I went to Switzerland, I went to France a couple of times, and of course popular places around Germany.”
One of the biggest differences between America and Europe? “They allow time to rest. In America we feel like if we’re not busy people will look at us like ‘Oh, you’re doing nothing with your life.’”
Once she returned to the States, Victoria continued her college education in at OBU at NLC in Conway. OBU NLC began in the fall of 2014 and allows their students to receive an associate of arts degree in general studies and Christian ministry, while also receiving hands-on ministry experience. “I did it because I was interning and working at the church already, and it was convenient to have school in the same place.”
After being a part of the first graduating class from NLC last spring, she continues her education here in Arkadelphia, majoring in English with an emphasis in writing. “I love the smallness. That’s why I didn’t want to go to a big university like Hendrix or UCA in Conway.” She said the low number of students drives the community in a unique way.
You would think someone who spent multiple years in big cities would learn to love populous areas, but Victoria wrapped up her favorite parts about Ouachita saying, “Believe it or not, I actually like that we’re in the middle of nowhere. Because that means I can do my homework more…usually…sometimes.”
Victoria Singleton has proved that a route widely considered “non-traditional” has allowed her to become even more prepared for college than before. The vast majority interpret receiving a proper education as graduating high school and immediately entering into four years of college. But in cases, students, like Victoria, leave high school having no idea what they want to do or what they can achieve.” While she was once someone who had no idea what she was doing with her life, freeing herself and gaining knowledge through trips around the world brought forth the right amount of wisdom needed to continue her education. By being non-traditional, Victoria found what she values most and how she plans to continue her self-journey.
Thankfully, she can continue that journey right here in Arkadelphia.
By: Barrett Pfeiffer, Staff Writer
