Sjolander Holder

Sjolander Nichole Holder …….
To God be the glory.
In this life, I’ve been blessed with both a chance and a choice.
My journey at Stephen F. Austin began during the Summer II session of 2002, just days after graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School. I was full of excitement and pride, driven by the love and encouragement of my parents, Eleanor and Calvin Johnson Sr.—champions of education, strong character, and hard work. As the youngest of four, but never the baby, I felt ready to chase my dreams.
But life, as it often does, had other plans.
On my 16th birthday, my younger sister was diagnosed with bone cancer. By the time I left for SFA, her cancer had returned. Though I wanted to stay, my heart needed to be closer to home. I transferred to Prairie View A&M University to be nearer to Galveston, where she was receiving treatment at UTMB.
On January 13, 2003, my sister passed away at the age of 15.
That moment shattered me.
I was lost, devastated, and unsure how to move forward in a world without her. Depression followed me like a shadow for years. I battled thoughts of suicide. But I chose to use a semicolon instead of a period—to keep writing my story instead of ending it.
Life continued, as it does. I returned home, began working, and entered a relationship I believed was right. That chapter ended in violence—domestic abuse that nearly took my life in a bar parking lot in Beaumont, Texas. I was broken physically, but it was the mental healing that truly tested my will. My mother, my rock, fought beside me and brought my abuser to justice. I thank God for her strength.
From that point on, I began again. Dr. Paula Richardson gave me a chance at Tekoa Academy and saw something in me I hadn’t yet seen in myself. She encouraged me to go back to school and reminded me that one day, I would return and become a true Lumberjack.
Life continued to move—I got married in 2010, and was blessed with two beautiful children : Polo and Jurian Jr. Then, as life would have it, I became a single mother. Dreams of returning to SFA felt impossible. But after surviving a near-death experience while giving birth to my daughter—who was born weighing only two pounds—I knew I had been given a second chance at life for a reason.
I had to keep going—not just for me, but for my children.
With the encouragement of my dear friend Levy Williams and my accountability partner Sherard Reynolds, I found the courage to re-enroll at Stephen F. Austin State University in 2023. I returned as a single mother, balancing a full-time job, part-time bartending, and two young children. It wasn’t easy. I faced SAP appeals, financial aid challenges, and the weight of excessive credit hours. But I never gave up. I couldn’t.
Because I knew this wasn’t just about a degree. It was about finishing something I started long ago. It was about showing my children—and anyone watching—that no matter how long it takes, no matter how hard the road, you can always choose to rise.
With deep sadness, I must share that shortly after I re-enrolled, Levy Williams—my colleague and mentor—passed away due to complications from COVID.
To my parents, Eleanor and Calvin Sr.—thank you for instilling in me the values that carried me through this part of my journey.
To my sister, Nataujia, thank you for always listening and inspiring me to be the best mother & educator I can be.
To my brother Calvin Johnson Jr., my silent supporter—Thank you.
To my children—Polo and Jurian—you are my heart, my strength, my “why.”
To Coach Sherard Reynolds—your faith in me never wavered, and your reminders kept me on track when life tried to pull me away you made sure I never dropped the ball.
To my nieces and nephews—Mark Anthony, Ty Joseph, Conqueror, and sweet Odette—this is for you, too.
And to my beloved grandfather, who passed away just weeks ago—you made it 92 years, and though you won’t be here physically to see me walk the stage, I know you’ll be watching from Heaven.
To Dr. Wagnon—thank you for introducing me to what’s possible through continuing education. The conference you led opened my eyes to the tools and knowledge I need to impact my students and grow in my calling as an educator.
To the Stephen F. Austin Spring Class of 2025—I hope my story reminds you that everyone’s path is different. There is no deadline on destiny. A wise man once said, “The man who thinks he knows everything can’t learn anything.” —Joseph Curly
I am living proof that with faith, family, support, and determination, all things are possible.
I started as a Lumberjack in 2002.
I will returned in 2025—older, wiser, stronger, and with a full heart.
And finally, I dedicate my degree to the short but powerful life of my little sister, Tiffany Rose Johnson.May you continue to rest in power and in peace, knowing that your light lives on in me.This is only the beginning… Now, it's time to Master It !
To God be the glory—forever and always.
Axe 'Em Jacks.
— Sjolander N Holder