Rebelle Fleur

By Robert Graham

Home is where the heart is, but distance might be how the heart grows stronger, an axiom Kris-Ann Walters (BS 15) practices as a rebelle fleur (French for rebel flower), what Kris-Ann describes as a contradiction that uncovers an important value in her life: self-determination.

“I visited home for the first time in four years this past December. It was a nice opportunity to see the person I had become versus the person I was when I left. The trip was affirmation of my commitment to establishing my independence,” says Kris-Ann.

Kris-Ann grew up in Kingston, Jamaica and earned a scholarship to Adam State University in Alamosa, CO in 2011. She transitioned from a Grizzly (Adam State’s mascot) to a Greyhound as a sophomore in 2012.

“I wanted to stay in the vicinity of Colorado, so I googled Division II schools in the southwest, and ENMU came up,” says Kris-Ann.

Currently, Kris-Ann is a graduate student in the Department of Counseling and works under Draco Miller (MS 06, BS 04) in Stadium Operations.

“My long-term plan is to become either a psychotherapist or clinical mental health counselor. I want to keep my options open, but some preliminary schools I am considering are Texas Women’s University and Texas A&M College Station,” says Kris-Ann.

Kris-Ann has made ENMU a home away from home by embracing the concept that home is a state of mind and, more subtly, a euphemism for the ability of the individual to make her way in the world.

“I believe that I can achieve success because I value both my independence and my education, and with that, I am able to create my desired reality,” says Kris-Ann.