Congratulations to Extra Inning Softball CEO Bonnie Holland… Graduating Today with Her Master’s Degree

Bonnie Holland is Extra Inning Softball’s CEO and oversees everything for us from payroll to marketing & advertising to human resources.

She is also, as I’ve said multiple times to her and anyone who will listen, the “hardest working person I’ve ever known.”

Bonnie has been a single mom raising four kids at times but has never given up her dreams and perspective of how important getting an education is.

Today—Saturday, August 5, 2023—she is in Texas receiving her master’s degree in Victim Services Management from Sam Houston State Univ. with a 4.0 GPA.

On behalf of everyone associated with Extra Inning, I wanted to share her Facebook post from this week which I believe is a great example and story for young people or those having hardships that you can do it, you can persevere to accomplish your goals and fulfill dreams.

And, in Bonnie’s case, to make a positive influence in the lives of all who know her and all she comes across in life.

Someone once told me I was too stupid to attend college.

In 2011, I made the decision to enroll at CWI (College of Western Idaho). I was terrified and overwhelmed as a single mother of four small children, all under the ages of 12. I had no confidence in my ability to succeed.

Balancing school with motherhood was daunting, to say the least.

It took me seven years before I graduated with my associate degree in Criminal Justice. Two years later I graduated with two bachelor’s degrees—in Psychology & Sociology—with an emphasis in Criminology from the U of I (University of Idaho).

I did this while working two to four jobs, being a mom and fighting to keep my sanity.

Three weeks after graduating from the U of I, I started a master’s program in Victim Services Management through Sam Houston State University (SHSU). I just found out that I am graduating this weekend with a 4.0 GPA and, to date, I have taken 57 college courses equaling 168 college credits.

I know I may come across as braggadocious but for those of you who know me, you know what this means to me and how happy I am!

• From my first non-credited math class in the computer lab at CWI to taking statistics online during COVID after just having a miscarriage…
• From moving five times in the last four years, to being a mom, to balancing 2+ jobs for years….
• From wanting to pull my hair out at times, crying myself to sleep, and whining to my family/friends about upcoming finals….
• From going to school year-round (including summers) for the last four years, to reading so much my eyes burned….
• From my kids never knowing their mom without the stress of school, to teasing them that one day I will pursue a doctorate…

Although I am unlikely to make millions in the Criminal Justice field, what I care about the most is helping others.

I hope to empower those who feel vulnerable, trapped, and/or lost and to help bring them hope, resources, and education.

My degree is unique because SHSU is the only school in the country that offers Victims Services Management. I am excited to see what the future holds and how God would like me to help those who are suffering.

We all have gifts, skills, and passions that drive us… what is yours?

In the meantime, to the ‘one’ who told me I was too stupid… do you know what ‘Stupid’ actually means?

STUPID = (Smart, Talented, Unique Person In Demand 😊