When Ebony Livas crossed the Rio Commencement stage last month, it marked not just the completion of her degree - 10 years in the making - but a significant family achievement.
“The three little people who inspired my entire journey, my children, Dominic, AJ, and E’Lisa, were in the audience, along with my family and friends,” Livas said. “This moment meant everything to them because they’ve witnessed every late night, every sacrifice, and every moment of hard work it took to get there.”
Livas’ journey was a tumultuous path that included homelessness, the birth of a premature child, divorce, the loss of her lost biological mother and her great grandfather just months apart, and her son’s diagnosis with autism. In it, Livas discovered her resiliency and the power of her children’s encouragement.
“They’ve watched me push through challenges in real time,” she said. “There were many nights they wiped my tears while I sat at the table overwhelmed, trying to figure out things like APY and percentage yields. Even in those moments, they became my strength. They were my motivation when I kept going, and my inspiration as I worked on assignments and created materials for school.”
Life Situation Leads to New Plan
It was her son’s diagnosis that led Livas to pivot her educational plan, switching her degree path away from early childhood education even though she only had four classes remaining.
“I made the difficult decision to change my major because I realized I wanted to become a voice for single-parent families raising children with special needs,” Livas said, “families whose experiences are often not talked about and can feel very isolating.”
Livas earned her Associate of Arts degree with an emphasis in Family Life Education and will continue her education at South Mountain Community College toward a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science.
“I feel confident and well-prepared,” she said. “Rio gave me a strong foundation, the discipline to succeed, and the motivation to keep pushing forward toward my long-term goals.”
Learning Lessons Along the Way
Livas said this journey would surprise her younger self. The advice she would give her may resonate with others and is worth sharing.
“I would tell her, ‘Don’t give up—even when it feels like it’s taking longer than you expected.’ Life is going to happen. There will be setbacks, moments of doubt, and times when you feel like quitting. But every step you take, no matter how small, is still progress,” Livas said.
It’s important for individuals to remember that challenges faced along the way will build resiliency, determination and focus, she said. Most important, she would tell herself that change is unavoidable, but everything is a teachable moment.
“I would tell her that it’s okay to not be perfect and to not have everything figured out. Growth takes time, and you’re allowed to learn as you go. One day, your children will be watching you cross that stage, proud of everything you overcame. And in that moment, every sacrifice will be worth it.”
Only one other person in her family may be more excited than Livas about graduation.
“For my children especially, this was such an exciting time,” she said. “My son, AJ, is thrilled because we graduated just one week apart. He was graduating kindergarten, and I earned my associate degree. That shared milestone made this moment even more meaningful for both of us.”