Twyanna Williams, a 65-year-old grandmother from Philadelphia who put off her schooling for several years due to financial concerns, has completed her high school degree. She was also named class valedictorian, which is an honour!
Williams’ parents divorced while she was a teen, preventing her from finishing high school. To provide for the family, she was forced to take jobs.
Williams told The Philadelphia Inquirer, “I felt bad for leaving school and seeing my classmates graduate, but I was working. “My main priority was to survive.”
She was required to work in the area’s hotels, hospitals, and fast-food outlets. Witnessing the graduations of her two daughters and four grandchildren reminded her of her desire to return to school and obtain a high school diploma.
She declared, “Everyone deserves a high school diploma. “The older I got, the more I desired it.
Williams had the chance to return to school last year because of Philadelphia’s Educational Options Programs, which enable older students to finish the credits necessary for a high school graduation.
She recently completed the programme and was one of two valedictorians in her category B class at South Philadelphia High School for returning students 40 years of age and older.