They’re proof that age is never a barrier to education!
71-year-old Yvonne Spann Sowers just graduated from W.L. Bonner College, earning a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies, ABC 3340 news reports. She said she had always dreamed of returning to school for theology and it was just something she decided to finally press play on.
“I always had a yearning to learn more about the word of God and what it did, it enhanced my understanding of the word of God,” Spann Sowers told reporters.
A remarkable accomplishment for someone of her age, the milestone was made that much sweeter since she shares her graduation year with her daughter Eyamba Sowers Scott. Shortly after Spann Sowers’ graduation in May, her daughter Sowers Scott graduated with her master’s in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from National University on June 9th, crediting her mom with inspiring her.
“It just lined up to where my mom graduated in May and [I graduated] in June with my master’s degree. Watching her throughout my life has always been an inspiration, and when I was watching her achieve her dream of getting the bachelor’s degree and seeing how well she did, it just forced me to want to excel as well,” said Sowers Scott.
71-year-old mother & her daughter both graduate Cum Laude from college/Photo Courtesy of ABC 3340 News
Both mom and daughter graduated Cum Laude with Spann Sowers named Valedictorian of her class. Sowers Scott said their accomplishments have been an example for her own daughter and the two hope that they serve as an inspiration for others and a reminder to chase your dreams no matter what happens in your life.
“Growing up in a single-parent home and being a single mom in my life and just the challenges in life and I was able to overcome this and do these things, it is just a journey that I’m glad that I took. There is nothing too hard or challenging that if you put your mind to it that you cannot achieve if you work towards it,” Sowers Scott said.
Congratulations ladies!
Cover photo: 71-year-old mother & her daughter both graduate Cum Laude from college/Photo Courtesy of ABC 3340 News