overcoming adversity and achieving dreams through higher education
In the middle of coaching Odyssey students for their graduation videos, Professor Baron Kelly got a call that left him in tears, overwhelmed: He had just been selected for the prestigious College of Fellows of the American Theatre. Baron is being “recognized for his outstanding contributions in the field acting, teaching, and scholarship — with …
“It was a full circle moment for me,” says Odyssey alum Hedi Rudd ’12, as she snapped pictures of the graduating Class of 2021 and their families. “I remember the day my class got our photos taken and how good I felt about myself. I cried. Now nine years later as the photographer, I want …
“We often search for scars which lay bare on the outside, never considering the more hurtful scars present on the inside. Having served nearly 25 years of incarceration, I know firsthand that the hidden scars are the ones that can hurt the most . . . In reading this, I found myself reflecting on how …
“Parenting doesn’t come with a handbook. And a lot of times our parents only gave us what their parents gave them, and so this is an opportunity for us to learn things that we didn’t necessarily receive from our parents.” — alum from Parenting Inside Out, a nationwide program for incarcerated parents Five million children …
“I never thought I’d ever be a writer. I wasn’t even good at writing letters. But then I took English 100, and wow, it really helped my communication and writing. I have overcome my fear of reading in a group, too. I was worried we wouldn’t be able to finish what we started, but man, …
“He who opens a school door closes a prison.” —Victor Hugo Spring 2021 is a time of triumph and hope for UW’s students in prison. After enduring outbreaks of COVID-19, long periods of lockdown and the suspension of classes, things are starting to open back up again. The infection rates are dropping and students have …
“I am forever grateful to Odyssey,” Josephine Lorya remarks in a new video created for virtual services at a local church taking up collections for Odyssey and Odyssey Junior. “Odyssey opened up many doors that I never would have thought possible,” she adds. Josephine explains in her cell phone video how Odyssey’s help with books, …
“I’m a very shy person, and I think working with Baron will help me overcome barriers and stop being in my shell,” Barbara writes. Every year since 2003, theater professor Baron Kelly has flown to Madison to excite Odyssey students about drama from Shakespeare to August Wilson. This year was bittersweet: Baron was right here …
“I arm wrestled racism until a vein was about to pop,” Corey begins his poem. Denise describes a woman triumphing over the heartbreak of teen parenthood and domestic abuse. Marilyn writes, “In February I found myself without a roof over my head; like some young people would say: ‘Just straight up homeless.’” Find these and …
“In my role as the success coach for Odyssey during this pandemic, I have never witnessed so much suffering among marginalized populations,” notes Brian Benford. Just elected alder for Madison’s sixth district, Brian graduated from Odyssey’s Class of 2007 and went on to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from UW–Madison. Brian …