Date published: June 3, 2025
Grantville, PA
“[My son] would not want me to stop… and so I pressed on, and here I am…”
Ever since she was nine years old, Audrey knew she wanted to go to college. She decided this after her father passed away when she was eight, and her mother continued working as a housekeeper to support Audrey and her eight siblings.
Audrey’s mother inspired her greatly. “She worked many hours but was unable to pay all of our needed bills. She did not take any one of us from school to assist her with the bills, but she insisted that we complete high school and find ourselves a job,” Audrey said.
This was influential for Audrey, who said, “I noticed at a very young age that education was the key to acquisition of financial stability, as it helped one to get a job which paid money and bills could be paid on time. During the years that followed, I also realized that studying was a commitment and required not only will but physical effort.”
Audrey tried to earn her degree on three separate occasions, and through hard work and determination, she was successful on the third attempt. She persevered through several personal tragedies, including the loss of her son, who Audrey says was her number one cheerleader.
She said that now, at 53 years of age, she felt like quitting. However, she thought of her son and mother and continued to press on and achieve her goals. “[My son] would not want me to stop. He would be saying, ‘Mom, finish your studies,’ and so I pressed on, and here I am almost at the end of achieving my associate in psychology. I thank God and my mom.”
Currently, Audrey is undecided on her next steps, but is looking toward potentially pursuing her master’s degree. She is appreciative of her time at HACC and is grateful for her experience at the College.
“HACC has made the cost of tuition affordable. The meals, which are prepared every day, are also affordable. Professors have developed multiple modes of content delivery which stimulates and keeps interests…Fellow students and staff are warm, friendly and helpful. It was an awesome experience,” Audrey said.
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