Nina Drum Scott, 42, of Vian, is all about family.

The daughter of Linda Girty of Vian and Chester “Stu” Drum Jr. of Braggs, Scott comes from a large family and is a single mother to her daughter, Nakoma Drum-Marable.

“But if you know the Girtys, we have quite the extended family,” Scott said.

“Family is the one constant that I have and will always hold near and dear. I’ve been in Vian my whole life with the exception of about four years when I was living in Florida,” she said.

Scott graduated from Vian High School in 2000, and Bacone College in December 2021 with her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice.

“I enrolled in August 2020 and worked two full-time jobs while being a single mother to Nakoma and attending classes,” Scott said.

“I was very fortunate and grateful that I had understanding bosses that allowed me to have my computer set up for my Zoom classes during my shifts,” she said. “After graduating, I applied for DHS (Department of Human Services) in January 2022, got my interview in February and my first day of work was March 2, 2022.”

Scott said during her interview, she was asked if she wanted to do CPS (Child Protective Services) or PP (Permanency Planning).

“I chose Permanency Planning because I wanted to be able to either help the families work and reunite, or help find the children their forever families,” she said.

Scott said she used to enjoy being able to play basketball and softball, but now she’s enjoying molding Nakoma to play like her mama.

“But, I also love following my younger cousins around to different ballfields,” she said. “I say “cousins” but I actually call them my nieces and nephews.”

She said she has also become involved with helping grow Canterbury Chapel in Vian.

“It had been closed for a little while but last July, my aunt Susan felt led to take the steps to reopen it up, and we are slowly making progress,” she said.

“Family is always good for the soul for me, and helps me recharge when I’m running low,” she said.