As we continue to celebrate the graduating Class of 2024, we wanted to share the amazing story of the oldest graduate and a class valedictorian who just happen to be mother (age 35) and son (age 16).
We hope you can find a pocket of time to read this interview in its entirety. It is full of tenderness, grit, inspiration, and HOPE.
Perhaps someone reading this will be stirred to invest in the futures of Michael, who dreams of becoming a civil engineer and Lucky, who still holds her childhood dream of becoming a doctor.
Q: Could you please share some of your background?
Lucky: I dropped out of school 13 years ago to earn money to care for Michael, who I had very young, and his two younger siblings without any support from the father.
Q: What motivated you to return to school after 13 years?
Lucky: I was motivated by my children’s performance in school, they were all doing well in school, and very smart.
One day, I sat and looked at my children, I thought of their smartness and said if these kids are like this, I think they took some of my smartness. Therefore, I have to return to school and complete my high school education. Growing up as a little girl, I was also smart, and comparing my younger age to my children motivated me a lot to take the bold step in the completion of my high school journey in the face of many challenges.
Q: What was your dream when you were growing up?
Lucky: Growing up as a young girl, I dreamed of becoming a doctor and this dream of a little girl is still alive in me. This dream was one of the driving forces behind my return to school and this will not be my stopping point. I will strive to further my education to become the doctor I wanted to be and achieve my dream. When achieved, I will be capacitated to handle my responsibilities, take good care of my children, and help them too in pursuing their dreams.
Michael: Growing up as a child, I have always dreamed of becoming a civil engineer and that doesn’t change. I am excited about completing high school and hope for the opportunity to pursue my dream.
Q: What are some challenges you faced getting to this point?
Lucky: It has been challenging for me as a single parent, trying to take care of my children, send them to school, and also go to school. Despite challenging times, I am proud of completing high school with my son. Today my children celebrate me for the bold step of returning to school.
Michael: My mother has always tried her best to provide for our needs. But I have had challenges going to school with an empty stomach and transportation to school. I had to walk every morning to school.
Q: How did it feel sitting in the same room writing the national exam (required testing for graduating seniors)?
Lucky: Initially, I felt that coming back to school with my son was a setback for me, imagine giving birth to a child and coming back to sit in class with him and graduating the same day. I felt that I wasted so many years to graduate at such an age, but the encouragement I received from the school motivated me. My son was also a great inspiration for me on this journey.
Michael: My mother’s decision had a great impact on my life, each time I see her, I receive strength and motivation to do more.
Q: What are you proud of most at Hope and as an individual?
Lucky: As an individual, I am very proud of myself for taking this bold step at my age. At Hope, I am proud of the teachers, they are straightforward, always concerned about the student’s well-being and academic performance. I am also proud of the administration for their level of motivation and the way they manage the school.
Michael: As an individual, I am proud of being one of the three valedictorians, the third best performing students in my class. I am proud of Hope International School for the level of teaching and guidance they provide their students.
Q: What has been your favorite memory at Hope?
Lucky: This is a school I will never forget. Hope will always be in my heart, a school I graduate from at 35 years old. Not only graduate as an individual, but I built this memory with my son, it is an everlasting memory for me.
Michael: My favorite memory at Hope International School is with the quizzing team. I enjoy playing and the time with my wonderful team is a memory I will take with me.
Q: What message do you have for The Hope Project?
Lucky: I say thanks so much to The Hope Project for the help and support they are giving to the Hope International School, through their support, we can an affordable school with good quality. Their support has not only helped our children but has also changed the lives of some parents, so I extend a very big thank you to The Hope Project. I encourage them to continue their support and nothing should stop them from doing what they are doing for us. Let them keep giving us the Hope we need for a better future.
Michael: I appreciate The Hope Project for the effort and hard work. Their support is making a great impact in Liberia and I hope that they continue their good work.
Michael and Lucky represent so beautifully what Hope International provides to students in Liberia. If you would like to talk with Jackie about helping them achieve their college aspirations, please reach out at (509) 630-8783 or email.