Providing for children is Metallica Scholar’s motivation for success

It’s taken a lot for industrial maintenance student Devon Elliott to get where she is. A recovering addict with two years of sobriety, her biggest support system has been her family.

“I’m super grateful for who I have in my life,” she said. “They never gave up on me, even at my worst. Just getting out of that lifestyle while also attending to my kids, that’s probably the hardest challenge I’ve faced.”  

Originally from Nelsonville, Elliott is a single mother of two children – son, Judah, is 6 and daughter, Violette, is nearly 2. She chose to pursue a degree in industrial maintenance because she wanted to provide for her children with a solid career while doing something she enjoys.  

“I want to do good for them, to show them you can overcome anything even when you think you can’t,” she said. “So many times, I didn’t think I could get out of addiction, but I did, and I have done so many positive things since.”

Elliot was just named a Metallica Scholar, earning a $500 scholarship. She was nominated by Willie Weakley, Industrial Maintenance Program Coordinator for ECTC’s Springfield Campus.

“Devon was nominated because she is a shining example of a mother overcoming adversity to better her family through education,” Weakley said.  

Elliott began at ECTC in fall of 2023 and should earn her degree in 2025. She likes that the college is close to home and the application process was simple.

“Everyone has been very supportive,” she said. “I was really scared to go to college, but I don’t feel like just another student here. Someone is always willing to help, which pushes me to work harder.”

The goal for Elliot is to start a career that pays well and that will allow her to be there for her kids as a single mom. She thinks the Metallica Scholars Scholarship, funded through the band’s All Within My Hands Foundation, will help her on her journey.

“I didn’t do that well in high school and I’ve never been great at test taking,” she said. “This award means a lot because I never expected anything like this coming from where I came from as an addict. I never saw myself where I am, much less earning a scholarship.”

“Plus, my mom and sister are huge fans of the band,” she said.