It’s difficult for students to balance school, sports, activities and a job. Add in multiple jobs and kids, and that can make for quite the juggling act. But one Baker student is doing just that.
Junior Judy Erpelding, a music education major, decided she wanted to go back to school after having taken a few years off from college. After graduating from high school in 1998, Erpelding went to school for a couple of years at Fort Scott Community College and then Pittsburg State University.
Erpelding decided to take a break from school for various reasons. After several job changes and being a stay-at-home mom, she decided to start taking a few classes at Johnson County Community College last year. Having done just about all the classes she could at the community college level, she chose Baker as her next step in life.
“It’s a perfect fit for me,” she said.
She said the small-school feel made it easier to fit in and connect with students, especially since she’s 29, making her older than most students on campus. She also said she is very appreciative of the community of kinship between the staff and students.
“I can relate and talk to people,” she said.
Erpelding has found that going back to being a full-time student can be hectic.
“Every moment from the time I get up I’m constantly doing something,” Erpelding said. “Luckily I’m organized.”
In addition to taking 17 hours, Erpelding plays in the Buel String Quartet, the Baker orchestra and has her own string quartet, the Sunflower Strings. She also works as a florist and bartender, and is the mother of three children, who are 6-years-old, 3-years-old and 18 months.
Darren Erpelding, her husband, said he wanted her to go back full time to finish school rather than take classes here and there for six years, and is really happy she has gotten the chance to do so.
A few years ago, when Darren was hospitalized with some health problems, she remained at his bedside despite juggling her studies and other activities.
“She gave up things for me, which is pretty awesome,” he said.
But Darren has noticed there have been some challenges with her going back to school.<br/>Darren is a soccer coach at De Soto High School, making this time of year extremely busy for him. Between that and Erpelding working and going to school, they seldom have time to spend with each other. He said they might see each other only 10 hours out of the week. Daycare has been an issue as well.Darren is a soccer coach at De Soto High School, making this time of year extremely busy for him. Between that and Erpelding working and going to school, they seldom have time to spend with each other. He said they might see each other only 10 hours out of the week. Daycare has been an issue as well.
Darren is a soccer coach at De Soto High School, making this time of year extremely busy for him. Between that and Erpelding working and going to school, they seldom have time to spend with each other. He said they might see each other only 10 hours out of the week. Daycare has been an issue as well.
“It’s been tough, but we’re getting through it,” Darren said.
Going back to school isn’t the only exciting occurrence in her life recently. Last year she found her dad through the Internet.
One day she decided to Google herself and came across all these Web pages, especially Tweets off of Twitter, from her father, Jim Beaver, searching for her. Beaver said it was Nov. 27, 2008, when he first received contact from her. Beaver said he was extremely elated and joyful to finally hear from his daughter after spending almost 30 years searching for her.
“We have not seen one another since June 21, 1982, when she was two years old,” Beaver said in an e-mail. “Now look at her. Educated, and she is holding the keys to a bright and rewarding future.”
“I have yet to meet him, but I hope I do,” Erpelding said.
Beaver is especially pleased with Erpelding going back to school.
“I love it! It’s a breath of very fresh air!” Beaver said. “(She) has been a great success with her personal affairs, and for this great effort of hers I am so proud.”
Erpelding plans to graduate in December 2011.
“It’ll be very exciting when I get done,” she said.
