Lynnette Fletcher had just graduated from high school. Her whole life she had wanted to be a teacher. Her love for reading and history earned her top grades and class Valedictorian. She also was awarded a rare Full Academic Scholarship to her favorite college… The Ohio State University. A full ride: all that she was to be responsible for was her meals. She had declined the housing because she lived close enough to campus that she could drive.
Lynnette had grown up hearing the OSU band practice daily every fall. The crowds roaring every Saturday in Fall coming from the Shoe. Winter crowds at home games of the women's basketball team. Lynnette would dream that one day she would be sitting at the Scorer's table. She was the Official Scorer for her high school in both Boys and Girls; she had received many recommendations across her county and Conference from Officials and other team's coaches.
There was only one reason keeping Lynnette from experiencing a full college life, Katherine… her six-month-old daughter. Katherine wasn't the product of a high school romance or one-night stand. She was conceived from an act of violence. Lynnette was a Christian and believed that everything happens for a reason, God's Will. She felt it was her duty to be Katherine's mother and she was going to accept her new role. She would work around her academic and employment responsibilities. Her family, church family and friends supported her choice and helped her anyway they could.
Steven Pennington from Los Angeles, California had no idea that his life was about to change beyond a college life. He too had graduated top of his class and had chosen to accept the Academic Scholarship to OSU. He had been offered scholarships from UCLA, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and OSU. But he had a love for the Buckeyes of Ohio. His parents were well enough off to send him to any school of his choice… he chose Ohio.
Since his parents didn't have to pay for his schooling, they bought him a small house of the East side of Columbus so he would have ample time and peace to study. Steven wasn't anti-social; he was just a more serious student. His older brother Thomas had shown him "what not to do in college". Thomas was the family screw up. He had a full ride to UCLA and squandered it to parties and ended up dropping out after being put on Academic Suspension. He was supposed to be in the Pre-Law program, but partying and drugs became more important.
There was five years between the two boys. Steven decided he would strive to excel academically and be a productive member of society. His hard work paid off and he was now packing his car and a U-Haul to travel across the country to his new home for the next 4 years… Ohio.