A 100-YEAR-OLD woman has finally graduated high school, 85 years after she had to leave.
Clare Picciuto of Massachusetts was prevented from finishing high school by the Great Depression of the 1930s, when her parents asked her to start working instead.
Clare’s daughter Deborah told ABC News that her mother constantly reminded her (and later, her granddaughters) not to take their education for granted:
Her brothers were allowed continue with their education. She always bemoaned the fact that she wasn’t able to, but she never lost her love of learning.
Deborah wanted to give back to her mother, who attended “so many graduations” but never had one of her own.
On Clare’s 100th birthday last Wednesday, Deborah arranged for her to be presented with an honorary high school diploma, along with a cap and gown.
The local school superintendent came down to surprise her, and said she had earned it through her “life experiences alone”.
Clare is so articulate, sharp and positive. She is truly representative of all the things we should aspire to be.
