Hazel Soares Earns College Degree at 94

In today’s world, students are almost expected to go to college after they graduate from high school. However, when Hazel Soares graduated high school in 1932 – in the midst of the Great Depression – a college education simply was not an option. However, Soares kept her dream of a higher education alive, and 68 years later, she became a proud member of the college graduating class of 2010.

Soares said that due to family obligations – raising children and caring for a sick husband – she had not be able to attend college classes. But now, at 94-years old, Soares has earned her bachelor’s degree in art history from Mills College in California. She is the second oldest person ever to earn a college degree. The oldest was Nola Och’s, 95-years old, who graduated in 2007 from Fort Hays State University in Kansas.
Some people would ask what the point in earning a college diploma at 94 years old is.
“There’s no reason why you could not go back,” Soares said about earning her degree. “Some people do give up the idea or postpone the idea. It’s too late. It’s too much work. They may not realize that once you try it it’s exciting to go to school.”
Soares has accomplished something that many people in their 20s and 30s do not. When asked about her motivation for continuing her education, Soares responded:
“There is a lot of hard work when it comes to homework and the essay writing, but at the same time, if that’s what you really want to achieve, you better get started.”
Soares is an amazing woman and we could all learn a lesson about perseverance and having a positive outlook on life from her. Congratulations to Hazel Soares and all of the Class of 2010!
Via Right Juris