Theodule still found time to tutor fellow students, volunteer at a local community center and join the National Council of Negro Women. She also was senior class parliamentarian.
Theodule graduated in May from Bethune-Cookman with a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in public administration.
A partial scholarship from Coca-Cola helped finance her education.
She also received some help from Bethune's only full-time switchboard operator, Patricia Singleton. The 14-year Bethune employee, whom Theodule calls ‘mom,' bought Theodule food, researched social service agencies to assist her and attended Theodule's college graduation.
"I was yelling and screaming. I was so proud of her. Her own mother didn't even come to her graduation," Singleton said. "Joane's attitude makes you want to love her. She always greets you with a smile and a hug. She always had a positive outlook on life and never had anything negative to say. That's why I consider her one of my children."
Theodule set a one-year timetable to complete her graduate work in applied sciences with a concentration in public administration. She wants to finish law school at age 26 to become an immigration attorney.
"I have a time frame on what I do in life because I want to do so much," she said. "I want to be situated and take care of my three younger siblings so they don't have to go through. ... the struggles I went through. This is not easy at all but it can be done."
