Contact: Phil Hearn
Photo by: Russ Houston
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A true "Cinderella" story is in the making at Mississippi State this week as six siblings from one family sign up for fulltime classes.
No wicked stepmother, prince, glass slippers, or pumpkin carriage in this one--as far as we know--but there is a real-life Cinderella, to be sure.
Five sisters and one brother--Wanda, Christina, Clarissa, Leroy, Cheryl, and Carol Doss--all start fall semester classes Thursday [Aug. 17].
Ranging in age from 18 to 27, the clan includes one freshman, one graduate student and four other Dosses in various other stages of matriculation.
If numbers mean anything, they could form their own MSU alumni chapter some future day in the tiny Palo Alto community just west of West Point, where they all grew to adulthood under the guiding hand of their widowed mother, Cinderella Doss.
"Six heads are better than one," asserted Wanda, the oldest sibling at 27, and a master's degree candidate in instructional technology. She already holds a bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary studies from the university.
"We depend on each other for many things," added Wanda, who also sings lead in the Doss gospel music group, another family passion. "With our unique talents brought to the table, we are able to accomplish a great deal."
Christina, 25, is a senior majoring in child development.
Clarissa, 23, also is a senior majoring in family studies.
Leroy, 21, a new transfer from East Mississippi Community College, is a senior communication major.
Cheryl, 20, is a junior elementary education major.
Carol, 18, graduated from West Point High School in May and will be a freshman. She also plans to major in elementary education.
"We're a close-knit family," said Cheryl, salutatorian of her W.P.H.S. graduating class in 2004. "We go to church together every Sunday and sing as a gospel group. All of us are single.
"We all enjoy nature, fishing, daily walks, and shopping and eating together. Or sometimes, we just sit on the porch at our home in Palo Alto," she added.
Their parents have been strong, positive influences in their lives.
Their late father, Leroy Sr., pastored an area church, farmed, taught school, and worked at a local food plant to make ends meet. He died from a stroke in 1991 at age 40--leaving a legacy of hard work, religious dedication and commitment to education.
"He taught us to stay on a straight and narrow path," said Wanda. "The path that God helped him lay out is the path that is still cared for and paved."
After Leroy Sr.'s death, Cinderella had to be both a mother and a father to her six children. She kept them in school, she kept them in church and she kept them singing.
"It has been a struggle, but it kept us on our knees and it kept us humble," said their 55-year-old mother. "We've been singing together as a gospel family for the past 15 years. Singing is fine, but we have to live the life we sing about in our songs."
Named after her maternal grandmother, Cinderella grew up on a farm in Chickasaw County and also was raised by a single parent, Christine Davidson.
"We worked in the field, helping neighbors for a quarter a day," she recalled "I was taught to respect my elders and always treat everybody the way that you wanted to be treated--and I tried to teach my children the same way."
"Mother is our spiritual guidance counselor," said Cheryl.
"She has been a miracle," added Wanda, who also was salutatorian of her 1997 graduating class at the now-closed West Clay High School. "I love and thank my mother for all she's done."
With the cost of getting a college education ever on the rise across the country, the Dosses take advantage of a combination of student scholarships, grants and loans available through MSU. They also work part-time at various on- and off-campus jobs.
Cheryl, Leroy and Carol will stay in separate campus residence halls during the fall semester, while Wanda lives in an off-campus apartment. Christina and Clarissa will commute from the family home in Clay County.
"Things aren't always a bed of roses, but I've learned to overcome the bad days," said Wanda. "I chose MSU because of the prestige of its academic programs. Overall, the on-campus experience has been very rewarding."
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For more information, contact Cheryl Doss at 662-295-0393 or cld135@msstate.edu.