April Damlo

"Like many high school seniors, I started college and then had to drop out because life threw a few too many curve balls. I tried to go back on a few different occasions, but something always came up. On January 1, 2018, I made a resolution to go back and get my degree.

Three years later, I graduated with an AAS in Accounting and a Payroll Specialist Diploma. For three years, I worked full-time during the day and did all my online schooling at night and on the weekends. I brought homework with me everywhere. For three years, my husband and children supported me. My friends, family and coworkers cheered me on even if they thought I was crazy. I missed my kids' activities, I took a new job, we started a family kettle corn business, I worked from home during a pandemic while “home schooling” my kids, and I missed spending time with my family and friends.

Was it hard? YES. Did I want to give up? YES. But I had two kids watching me work too hard to quit. Did I quit? NO. Even if you don’t think you are capable of something or if you feel like giving up, you are stronger than you think you are, and you can get through it.

On May 7, 2021, at the age of 40, I finally graduated from college – the first one in my family to do so. For all of you out there who think you are too old to go back to school or are doubting what you are capable of, I promise you that you can do anything you set your mind to."