“I’m not recommending that anyone get pregnant. But that awareness probably would not have come if they didn’t get pregnant.”

Light said she has seen young pregnancy experiences bring people to college because they realized they had to become role models.

Going to school, holding down a job and preparing to have a child in a couple of months can be difficult. South student Ashley Renteria, who is currently expecting, says it’s hard but worth it.

“I work 45-plus hours, and I have my own business. Plus, I take 16 hours,” she said. 

“I think you have to have a proper balance. It’s a wonderful blessing, and for young women in school with goals of graduating, it is possible.”

South student Brittney Darden, who recently had a child, said it’s hard being a teen parent, but it can be done.

“I don’t support or encourage abortion at all, but I can’t judge people that get abortions because my situation was different,” she said. “I had a lot of support, and I was rewarded with a beautiful baby boy.”

Melia House, an expecting South student, said if people are going to do grown-up things, they should be ready to take on grown-up responsibilities.

“If you’re going to have sex with a person, make sure he’s another responsible person,” she said. “My boyfriend is still around. He ain’t got no choice.”

Not all pregnant students have the support from their families or the fathers of their unborn children. Valerie Mingoes, an 18-year-old seven-month pregnant NE student does not have a lot of support.

She moved from New York to live with her grandmother when she was 16 to be around a better environment.

Her grandmother kicked her out the house when she found out Mingoes was pregnant, and she said her baby’s father does not want anything to do with her.

“He needs to grow up. I don’t want anything to do with him the way he has been acting,” she said.

Mingoes is currently working two jobs, going to school and trying to get an apartment. Mingoes is inspired by her mother, who was a single parent. She went back to school and now owns her own day care.

“She thought I should get rid of the baby, but I told her no because she didn’t do it to me or none of her other kids,” she said.

Mingoes is determined to be the best mother she can be and to get her degree.

“I’m not going to let anything hold me back,” she said. “I’m going to finish school regardless.”