Actress and singer Keke Palmer recently spoke at Paul Quinn College in Dallas, and received a surprise that moved her to tears.
Palmer wrote about the experience on her blog:
This past week Lacy took me to speak to some kids at Paul Quinn. I love speaking at schools and have been doing so since I was about 11. As a kid I just felt it was fun talking to some people my age, but the older I get the more important it is to me for them to know my story. I understand that what they think of me and what my actual journey looked/looks like does not always coincide. I realize that in order to really be of service to them I have to get them to understand that I am just like them, that I am not any more special than they are, and that my struggles mirror a lot of theirs. It seems as if I’m giving so much but being around my peers does so much for me! Growing up in the industry, even though my family did a great job of keeping me balanced, that world is very much all about THAT WORLD. To be apart of what’s really happening with my generation, the culture, the topics, the pressures, and the fears- THAT is what inspires me. It’s those stories and those people that give reason to the usage of my gifts.
At the end of my time at Paul Quinn they surprised me with an acceptance letter to the school! My heart was pounding because, like I said, I don’t have what I’d call a full education. I feel as if I’m educated on life and people but my school education is in the air hahaha :). So to be accepted and acknowledged in that way truly touched me. Though I believe there’s a lot of education outside of the school system, I think to start college and finish college is a huge achievement. An achievement I always wished to do.
I’m not sure when, but I know I will.
This is awesome, she can take some classes online or via correspondence and then they can award her with a degree. Add another famous alum from Paul Quinn College.