Meet our Teen Moms

Winner of the 2009 Chad Willis Scholarship

Meet Ellie Ceja

Ellie Ceja is 19 years old and has a 3 year old daughter named Miracle. She has encountered numerous obstacles in her life but still has achieved so much despite her circumstances. At 15, she gave birth to Miracle 17 weeks early and dropped out of school to take care of her in the hospital. After joining alley’s house in summer 2008, she completed her GED in six months, got a full-time job and became a runner up for Mother of the Year! Ellie is now a full time student at El Centro college and plans to attend UTDallas to become a speech pathologist..

2009 Chad Willis Scholarship Winner

Meet Kayla Dupre

Kayla Dupre is an 18 year old single mother of a 1 year old daughter named Kara. Kayla was relocated to Texas from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. In May, Kayla graduated from James Madison High School, but did not know how she was going to go to college because of her living situation and financial need. Without the help of the Chad Willis Scholarship and Financial Aid she would not be able to support her baby the way she would like to and attend college.

Kayla plans on attending El Centro Community College to major in Criminal Justice and then entering the Forensic Science field. She is very thankful to everyone who has helped her gain the confidence to continue her education and raise her child.

2009 Chad Willis Scholarship recipient

Meet Carly Allen

Carly Allen is a 21 year old single mother. She attends Texas Woman's University as a Social Work major and volunteers with the SPARK group that supports parenting students. She and her son Hunter, who is entering first grade this year, live on campus in family housing. When Carly graduates she hopes to work helping other young families reach independence.

2009 Chad Willis Scholarship recipient