Determined 101-Year-Old Woman, Sarah Simpkins, Achieves Lifelong Dream, Graduates with a Bachelor's Degree
Despite facing challenges and dropping out of college over eight decades ago due to pregnancy, Sarah, now a grandmother, seized the opportunity to enroll in early childhood education at Brightpoint Community College. Virginia's Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974 facilitated her pursuit, allowing senior citizens to enroll in higher education at no cost.
AKACHI NOEL 
In a heartwarming achievement, 101-year-old Sarah Simpkins has fulfilled her lifelong dream by graduating with a Bachelor's degree from Brightpoint Community College in Chester, Virginia, USA.
Despite facing challenges and dropping out of college over eight decades ago due to pregnancy, Sarah, now a grandmother, seized the opportunity to enroll in early childhood education at Brightpoint Community College. Virginia's Senior Citizens Higher Education Act of 1974 facilitated her pursuit, allowing senior citizens to enroll in higher education at no cost.
“I wanted to do that just to prove to me that I can do it,” shared Sarah, expressing her determination. Attending in-person art classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, she found her coursework to be easy and completed her first semester with a commendable 3.5 grade point average.
Sarah's granddaughter, Halimah Shepherd-Crawford, also studies at Brightpoint Community College, emphasizing the special bond as they finish their educational journeys together. Halimah praised her grandmother as an inspiration and spoke about their shared motivation to complete their studies together.
