101-year-old college student plans to graduate alongside granddaughter
A 101-year-old grandmother has shared her hopes to graduate alongside her granddaughter.
Sarah Simpkins from Virginia previously dropped out of college when she became pregnant with her first child some 81 years ago.
But in that time, Sarah said that she had wanted to go back to school, and finally at the age of 101 she decided that now was as good a time as any.
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She has now finished the first semester of her Early Childhood Education programme at Brightpoint Community College in Chester, Virginia.
Asked why she had decided to go back to school, she said: “So that I might inspire somebody else. I returned to school. It was never out of my mind.”
And how has she been fitting in with the other students? Well it seems like it's not been much of a problem at all.
“Enjoying every step of it,” she said. “Being with the other students.”
Homework has also been no problem whatsoever. She shared: “When I go to do the homework, that’s easy. Piece of cake.”
Her granddaughter Halimah Shepherd-Crawford is also enrolled at the same community college, and sometimes helps her with homework.
Shepherd-Crawford said: “I study the assignment, explain it to her and then she gives me her answers.
“I’m her hands and eyes, but it’s her brain. She’s still super sharp.”
And the student is also looking forward to graduating alongside her gran.
She said: “It’s special because we both will finish together, and we’ll both walk across the stage together.
“It made us work harder. And that was our motivation. We’re gonna do this together. We’re gonna finish together.”
And what about how she feels about her gran?
She shared: “My grandmother’s just an inspiration."
Sarah went on to explain why she decided to go back to school after so many years had passed, more than a lifetime for many people.
Sarah said simply: “It’s something that I had to do.
“I wanted to do that just to prove to me that I can do it."
The 101-year-old also shared just how grateful she feels to have been able to take the opportunity to go back to school after such a long time.
She had 12 children and focussed on her family, but never lost sight of the future or what she was capable of.
She said: “I’m very, very grateful that God has enabled me to do this."
Kit Roberts