Page 16 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2023 - Online Magazine

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Senior
Senior

Earnstein Dukes

Willing to

Go Beyond

by Kristina Hill

Today, Earnstein continues her dream Due to the end of segregation in her
career, doing what she has wanted to school district, the school day ended
do since her youth—be inspirational in the early afternoon. Because of the
and achieve her dreams. early dismissal, Earnstein volunteered
to assist the librarian after school.
Earnstein was born in Shreveport, That volunteer work sealed her
Louisiana in 1955. Constantly being ambition to become a librarian when
compared with her two elder sisters she completed college. She spent her
was difficult during her adolescence. summers attending summer school
She enjoyed school and playing with classes, earning enough credit hours to
her classmates. However, tragedy graduate early. As a result, Earnstein
struck during her elementary school and her sister graduated high school
years. One of her classmates died of together.
cancer, and her mother’s only sister
died due to a heart problem. The Earnstein’s main goal was to be
family turned to her grandmother as accepted into a college and find a
one of the most influential people in financial aid package because her
their lives to combat their sorrow. parents were not able to financially
support three girls going to college at
In high school, Earnstein's favorite the same time. As a first-generation
hobby was being an avid reader student, Earnstein only had guidance
and going to the library. She also from counselors. The sisters all
" ne thing that always influences participated in many other activities: attended separate colleges. Earnstein
you in your life is the people playing bass clarinet, marching in the
Othat you meet, whether school band, and performing with wanted to be independent of her
family and find a college that was
positive or negative,” says Earnstein the drill team. Earnstein learned how unique to her and would allow her to
Dukes. “There will always be some to sew in a home economics class, pursue a degree in library science.
negative people, but God put the right meaning she could make her clothes
people in my life in the right place without the stress of outgrowing Throughout college, she held a
at the right time.” Earnstein Dukes, hand-me-downs. Designing her own work-study job in the library until
the current Dean of the Texas Tech clothing allowed Earnstein to bring graduation. Earnstein also continued
Library, went through struggles and out her creativity and express her summer school while in college. Sadly,
challenges to get where she is now. individuality. she experienced some difficulties

16 Lubbock Senior Link