MCLA grad Diante Ellis is no stranger to struggle

Diante Ellis knows all about hard work and challenges in life, and they don't scare him. He moved to Pittsfield from the state of Florida about a year and a half ago, leaving behind his lifelong home and two years at Edward Waters College.

In starting his new life here, continuing his college education wasn't on his mind at first. But it soon grew to be a huge part of his life when he was accepted at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. So Ellis devoted himself to completing his education while holding down a full-time job, helping to raise two sons and playing for MCLA's basketball team.

Yesterday, at 21 years old, Ellis graduated from MCLA with an eye toward either a professional basketball career or a full-time commitment to social work.

"I came up here to be with my family," he said. "College wasn't really on my mind, but I realized it's important."

Ellis is employed by Sullivan & Associates and at the Hillcrest Educational Center working with developmentally or emotionally challenged children.

Youngest of 14 children

At Edward Waters College, his major was psychology. At MCLA, he switched to sociology with a minor in social work.

The youngest of 14 children, Ellis is well aware of the challenges some young people face.

"In my opinion, it takes a special kind of person to deal with people who have special needs," he said. "They need someone who understands them. ... It takes a lot of patience. I guess it's kind of weird for a young person to care so much, but I do."

He lives in Pittsfield with his wife and two sons. One was born about a month ago.

But with so much going on, the time he put in with his family was short, and usually on the run, like after basketball practice and before the night shift at work.

Learning to multitask

"Sleep was rare, but I got more after basketball season ended," Ellis said. "And I didn't have a lot of free time, so I had to multitask."

For the basketball team, he led the conference in field goal percentage, was the team's leading rebounder, second in the conference, and ranked sixth in scoring in the conference.

"I had a pretty good season," Ellis said.

With so many commitments, the drive to school in North Adams from Pittsfield "was a pain, especially when there is snow on the ground," he said.

Now that Ellis has a diploma, his plan is to someday return home to Florida - "where there's no snow" - to find a job and raise his sons.

Social work typically doesn't pay much, he said, "but I love people, and I really love working with kids and people who need the help."

(Courtesty of Scott Stafford/Berkshireeagle)