101-year-old college student prepares to graduate alongside her granddaughter 82 years after she dropped out when she fell pregnant with the first of her 12 children
A 101-year-old Virginia college student plans to graduate with her granddaughter after dropping out when she became pregnant with her first child 81 years ago.
Sarah Simpkins just completed her first semester of Brightpoint Community College's early childhood education program with a 3.5 grade point average.
'I went back to school. It's never been out of my mind,β Simpkins said WWBTadding that she hopes to inspire someone else.
The centenarian dropped out of Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina, at the age of 20 after becoming pregnant with the first of her 12 children.
βSo I moved on and I got married,β the 101-year-old said. She spent most of her life raising her family and raising children, but she had always wanted to get her degree.
Sarah Simpkins, 101, decided to enroll at Brightpoint Community College in Chester, Virginia, and graduate with her granddaughter after dropping out due to pregnancy 81 years ago
Simpkins moved from Brooklyn, New York, to Virginia at the age of 96 to live with her granddaughter Halimah Shepherd-Crawford, who now attends the same community college.
Simpkins just completed her first semester in the early childhood education program with a 3.5 grade point average
Simpkins moved from Brooklyn, New York, to Virginia at the age of 96 to live with her granddaughter Halimah Shepherd-Crawford, who is now enrolled at the same community college in Chester.
βI study the assignment, explain it to her and then she gives me her answers,β Shepherd-Crawford said.
'I am her hands and eyes, but they are her brain. She's still super sharp.' the granddaughter said proudly.
By the time the grandmother-granddaughter duo receive their diplomas next May, Simpkins will be 102 years old.
But age is always just a number for Simpkins. When asked how old she is, she replied, “It feels like 42.”
Simpkins always wanted to return to school since she left at age 20, and 81 years later, she finally took the chance.
βIt's something I had to do,β Simpkins said. “I'm very grateful that God enabled me to do this.”
Virginia's Higher Education Act of 1974 allows seniors over 60 to enroll in higher education courses for credit or audit classes without paying tuition or fees.
Other than that, Simpkins is no different than others at the school, “enjoying every step of it” and “being with the other students,” she said.
Simpkins, a semi-professional bowler, said her favorite courses are in-person art classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Simpkins dropped out of Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina, at age 20 after becoming pregnant with the first of her twelve children
By the time the grandmother-granddaughter duo receive their diplomas next May, Simpkins will be 102 years old
βI study the assignment, explain it to her and then she gives me her answers,β Shepherd-Crawford said
Simpkins, a semi-professional bowler, said her favorite courses are in-person art classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
'If I'm going to do homework, it's easy. Piece of cake,β she said before bursting into laughter.
At the age of 101, she attributed her longevity to a simple but profound philosophy: to remain happy and joyful at all times.
βYou know what, I never plan that far ahead,β Simpkins said. 'Living in the moment.'
Shepherd-Crawford said her grandmother has always been an inspiration.
'It's special because we both finish together and walk across the podium together.
'It made us work harder. And that was our motivation. We're going to do this together. We're going to end up together.'