98 year-old graduates from high school

Ruu_Old

Its never too late people!

from here

June 14, 2006 — For one senior, high school graduation fulfills a lifelong dream. Josephine Belasco is not only a high school senior but a senior citizen.
Tonight, 98-year-old Belasco will receive her high school diploma from Galileo High School in San Francisco more than 80 years after she attended.

The story goes back to the 1920s when Belasco, an immigrant from Italy, took a job during a school break to make some extra money for her family. That job turned permanent, and for the next 36 years, she worked as an accountant for Transamerica.
She was not without regrets, though. "It was always my goal to get my high school diploma," Belasco said.

After talking with her grandson, who encouraged her to go back to school, she decided it wasn't too late. "I watched my children and grandchildren graduate, and I realized it's my turn," she said.
Her kids were surprised when she announced her decision. "When she told me I was like, 'Ma, you're 98 years old!'" said her son, Edward.
But the woman whom friends describe as active and energetic and can frequently be found shopping or cooking an Italian feast, wasn't about to let her age stop her.

She went to the Galileo High administration offices, where she had been one of the first students when the school opened. Somewhat remarkably, they were able to track down her transcript.

weeder

wow

Lone Wolf

Fair play.

I know when/if I hit that age the last thing on my mind will be school, thats if my mind is still working.

Funkstard

Why would you bother

the_syco

Funkstard wrote:

Why would you bother

Some see education as a chore, some see it as a prize.

Funkstard

But like...she could have done something much more worthwhile than that...I mean fair play to her obviously and I'm not one to talk, but, why would you bother

Education is worthwhile

liamo

Funkstard wrote:

But like...she could have done something much more worthwhile than that...I mean fair play to her obviously and I'm not one to talk, but, why would you bother

She probably bothered because it mattered to her. Because she felt that it was important.

It might not seem worthwhile to you because you probably have a reasonable education. As she said - "It was always my goal to get my high school diploma".

And just to pre-empt any indignant reply : don't get uptight - I'm not criticising your very reasonable question, I'm just answering it.

Gotta admire that kind of determination. Go Girl !!!

Regards,

Liam

Guy:Incognito

bluewolf wrote:

Education is worthwhile

Not at 98 it isnt. Whats she gong to do? go job hunting?

I'd prefer to enjoy my life. Especially if i get to that age.

Terry

Stekelly wrote:

Not at 98 it isnt. Whats she gong to do? go job hunting?

I'd prefer to enjoy my life. Especially if i get to that age.

maybe she enjoyed the challenge of the exams.

weemcd

meh, could she not have aimed higher than a high school diploma?

nesf

Eh, she was 98. This probably had a lot more to do about resolving something that she had regretted for a very long time than about boosting here employable skills tbh.

Plus, there is nothing wrong with education for it's own sake. This attitude of education having to mean something beyond itself, make one more employable etc, is something that has always bothered me with this country. The idea that education for the sake of education is wrong is possibly one of the most unintelligent attitudes that I've seen so-called "intelligent" people hold. I can understand education being a chore for a lot of people, or a means to an end, that's fine, but to view education only in this light for all others is another sign of how the treadmill style of education in this country has led people to confuse all education with a group of apprenticeships.

BrenC

pretty cool

rsta

Wohoo, fairplay, get educamated ... next he'll be looking for a posh city job

ah only joking, good on him plus signs