Spring Branch ISD Featured News

When Tuesday Pears begins college in the fall, she’ll take advantage of a full-

ride at Kent State University. Well, almost a full ride. The first year, she’ll pay the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition.

This will be the next step toward becoming a fashion designer. The journey started at age 9 when Tuesday taught herself to use a sewing machine, a gift from her mom. She’s been designing and sewing clothes ever since, including this year’s prom dress.

She had a break-through when she took fashion design as a sophomore elective. “Everything I knew, I had taught myself,” Tuesday says. “Ms. Lucas taught me things I didn’t know.”

Tuesday moved to Houston from Detroit second semester of her freshman year. “My mom researched good places to live and the best schools for my little brother and me. I knew I’d be going to Stratford before we got here.”

She compares Stratford to her school in Michigan. “Cass Tech was taller. Stratford is wider.”

There are other differences, of course. From a fashion viewpoint, she appreciates not wearing uniforms. Classes are quieter at Stratford, so it was hard to make friends at first. Luckily, she had art and biology where the activity and lab periods made it easier to meet people.

It was difficult to adjust to the A/B class schedule. School wasn’t necessarily harder here, but she had to adjust to different expectations and grading scales. She found her stride because except for one B as a freshman, she’s made all As.

Tuesday is philosophical about high school. “If you stay focused, you can get it all done. Don’t stress. We’re young. This is only the beginning.”

On the social scene: “Don’t exclude yourself to one group of students. The more people you know, the better.”

On making choices: “Always do the right thing, then you don’t have to worry about consequences. And you feel better if it doesn’t work out.”

The One Goal program was a huge influence in helping Tuesday galvanize her goals and make them a reality. Coach Mixon was instrumental in the process.

One Goal is a three-year college access and success program that runs junior year in high school through freshman year in college. Junior and senior years, it supports students through SAT and ACT prep, college match, college applications and the financial aid process. Then, it continues during the college freshman year to help with enrollment, class schedule and facing all the academic, financial and social challenges. One Goal coaches are just an email or FaceTime conversation away.

Besides Ms. Lucas and Coach Mixon, Tuesday says there have been many adults who have helped her prepare for college and life after.

“Ms. Johnson is the principal everyone should have. She listens and gives good advice. No matter what you think, she doesn’t make you feel you’re wrong.”

Her mom, Diane, is her greatest influence. In addition to finding Stratford, it was her idea to consider Kent State. Diane will move the family to Ohio in the fall, and Tuesday plans to live at home. “I think parent involvement is important at this stage of my life. My mom made a good decision to come to Texas. I’ve had more opportunities here.”

Harvey was her first hurricane. “I had never seen anything like it,” she says. “I knew about snow storms, but not this.” Tuesday, her mom and little brother have their own weather story. When they came to Texas four years ago, they drove through snow and ice storms and white outs. It took six days to get here.

Tuesday isn’t a fan of cold weather. She took to Houston’s heat very easily. So why return to the cold in Ohio? Because Kent State has one of the top fashion design programs in the country. Because the school offered her a deal she can’t refuse. And because her mom will use the opportunity to return to school and further her nursing career.

Just like the last move, this one will be a family affair.