It seems 23-year-old 's life has always revolved around children. First of all, she was raised in a large family - three sisters and one brother. Her fiancé Dwayne Dickerson's siblings are triplets. Together the couple has five nieces and three nephews ranging in age from four months to 27 years old. Broadnax works in the childcare field. But even better than all that, she's a new mom to gorgeous one-year-old twin daughters, Jaionna and Jaivonna.

Broadnax has always loved children and loved being around them. She has decided to pursue childcare as a career. She is working very hard towards that goal. Broadnax says her daughters are her motivation. They are the reason she is pushing so hard to advance her education and training. 

Broadnax recently completed her Associates Degree in ChildDevelopment from Penn State, Lancaster Campus. Before her daughters were born she took some courses at Millersville. In the fall she is planning to attend Harrisburg Area Community College for her Associates degree in Early Childhood Development.

Broadnax's ultimate goal is to open her own daycare. Currently she works at The Community Action Program (CAP) Daycare and in the past has also worked for the Boys and Girls Club of Lancaster.

Broadnax doesn't just love being in the presence of children and taking care of them - she really loves helping them with everything. "Everything they need to survive!"

She said, "I like helping them with their needs. Everything from potty training to helping them learn how to read. These years are so precious. I am glad to be able to help children learn things like their colors or their left from their right."  

Broadnax may be "book smart" about child development but actually watching her with her own girls is truly something special. There is constant interaction between mother and daughters. At the age of one, everything in their world is new and Broadnax understands this.

Broadnax calls her daughters her "miracle babies." After a devastating miscarriage Broadnax was motivated to do everything in her power to try to ensure a full term pregnancy her next time. "After my miscarriage, I was really paranoid," she recalled.

She signed up for Healthy Beginnings Plus, a program that educated Broadnax on a healthy pregnancy. She was able to carry the twins almost full term - 37 ½ weeks. After the babies were born, she continued to get guidance on childcare, as well as some supplies from Healthy Beginnings Plus. 

Broadnax says, "My life has completely changed since having them. I am a mother first and then having fun is second. I can't imagine not having them here," she said. 

Broadnax still finds time to have fun though she is a busy working mother of twins. But these days her fun is scheduled around family time. The schedule "keeps me sane," she said. Friday nights everyone seems to congregate at Broadnax's house. With all of her relatives there's never a shortage of fun or toys for the twins. "I am very blessed," says Broadnax. "My house is the fun house. I do like that." 

On Saturdays, the twins' father is in charge and Broadnax usually spends that day catching up with girlfriends and shopping. Still, Broadnax feels that "When (the girls) are not there - there is nothing to do!" Sundays are family time. The family enjoys going to Long's Park, feeding the ducks and finishing up the weekend with a big family dinner.

Another thing that Broadnax likes to do is sing. She especially loves to sing to her daughters and to the children in her care. "I sing all day to the kids.  R&B, Gospel, children's songs ...Maybe one day I'll get a record deal!

Knowing Broadnax's history on accomplishing goals... don't be surprised!

Written by Maureen Leader, Special Features Writer