The Panther

Issue date: 2/9/05 Section: Lifestyles and Health

John Blair sucessfully juggles work, school, and a social life.

What's it like to have two jobs, participate in extracurricular activities, and pay bills all at the same time? "Nothing is ever appreciated unless you work hard for it. I go to school, work two jobs, play baritone in the band and pay bills," says junior John Blair. Blair is majoring in communications and has a minor in electrical engineering. He works at CVS Pharmacy Mon.-Thurs, from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and at Foley's on Fri.-Sun. at various times. Sometimes he works the unwanted hours of other employees just to get more hours to pay for school.

"My freshman year my father made too much money for me to receive financial aid, and I did not want any loans because I didn't want to have to pay them back. My grandfather helped me pay for school and he made sure that I got my education first. He only wanted me to focus on my books, but I wanted to do more. I went to class and then to band practice from 5 p.m.-12.a.m. or so," said Blair. He studied so much sometimes he had no time to sleep. Blair received financial aid for the first time fall 2004, it was very little, but helped him purchase some books.

"It's a blessing from God that I now have a car, my own apartment, and still manage to pay for school. Sometimes I just want to give up, but I have a daily motto that I live by "P.U.S.H." (Pray Until Something Happens). I always get up in the mornings and thank God that I have another day to live life to the fullest, no matter how hard I struggle. I study between classes or after practice now because I hardly have any free time. School, practice, and off to work I go everyday," says Blair.

This semester he is trying to manage 18 hours while having a social life at the same time. Blair attends Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in the 4th Ward where he is a drummer for the church. He is also on the on the Youth Board, volunteers after church service to serve dinner, and helps nearby churches in any way possible.

On special occasions he attends Rose of Sharon Baptist Church and also plays the drums and sings with the community choir. Talk about having a lot on your plate, Blair works very hard at everything he does. "For the first time I am attending both sessions of summer school this year to get ahead and to graduate May 2006. It is very hard to work two jobs and go to school, but with God by my side anything is possible."

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