You're Never Too Old...

I hate when people limit themselves based on inconsequential things, like age. Every so often, a story comes along reminding us that anything is possible at any age. The old adage that 'you are never too old' is true.  This morning I was watching the news when they reported on 94-year old Genevieve Johnson, who returned to Westford Academy, a public high school in Westford, MA to complete her high school education that was stalled nearly 70 years ago.

In 1936, during the height of the Depression, Genevieve had to drop out of school in order to get a job to help her family.  She had 2.5 credits left in order to graduate. Her deepest wish was to complete her high school education. In order to complete her education, Ms. Johnson needs to take 12 credits (requirements for graduation has changed since 1936) and she is loving every moment of her return to academia. Sadly, Ms. Johnson won't actually get her high school diploma because she has not taken the MCAS (Massachusetts standardized tests that all high school students must pass before graduating), but she will receive a Certificate of Attendance and will walk at graduation. It's a little ridiculous that the state won't let her get a diploma because of a standardized test that 70 years ago she would not have had to take. Bureaucrats! [Update 5/8: the news announced this morning that the powers that be at Mass DOE changed their mind and said that Genevieve can receive her high school diploma, despite not taking the MCAS. I can't believe they even had to think about that!]

Then there's the story of Catherine Lancelotta who returned to high school at the age of 101 in order to complete her high school education. Another victim of the Depression!  Jeanette Goldstein decided that she wanted to get a J.D. so she attended Syracuse University School of Law at the age of 81. Alice Thomas graduated from law school at 79 and landed a job to practice law working on elder law issues! In 2011, Octogenarian Betty Simmons graduated from Lubbock Christian University with a bachelor of science degree. Western Connecticut State University had an 83 year old graduate, Florence Pilkington, who majored in studio art. William Murphy took 46 years to complete his A.B. degree from Harvard University, but at the age of 78, he finally completed his coursework. 95 year old, Nola Ochs graduated from Fort Hayes State University in 2007.

Putting academics aside, how about George Salyer who set two skydiving records? He was 91 on his first dive and three years later, his family set a record for a multigenerational jump when he was joined by a 71-year-old son, a 40-year-old grandson, and a 15-year-old great-grandson. He was also the word oldest male pilot. Mary Hardison celebrated her 101st birthday by going paragliding (tandem) for the first time.  At 101, Fauja Singh finally retired from competitive marathon running. His first marathon was in 2000 in London at age 89. 

This list is just a small sampling of older people refusing to roll over and play dead just because they have aged a bit. It's important to remember: Age is just a state of mind.