2008 Woodie Awards
Think of those who've put you through ...
Peterson, Sunny
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Perspectives
Non-traditional students set out on a wild and fulfilling journey when they decide to return to college.
Like Dorothy on the yellow brick road, we meet up with many different characters who speak to our hearts, giving us courage, imparting wisdom and helping us maintain our course. There is a new award that pays tribute to some of our biggest cheerleaders, the same ones who knew we could do it even when we might have not been too sure ourselves.
According to the Web site for Student Life and Leadership the criteria for the award is as follows:
"For the first time this year, non-traditional seniors will be able to recognize family members, teachers, advisors, friends, and others who have given them support and assisted them in reaching graduation."
"This support might have been in the form of encouragement, financial assistance, child care, personal sacrifice or other tangible efforts to assist the student during the time they were enrolled at APSU."
"If the non-traditional student's nominee is selected to receive this honor, the student and their nominee will be given the opportunity to attend the banquet where the nominee will be awarded with the Putting Him/Her Through Award."
Now, anyone who knows me would not be surprised to hear that I wrote my acceptance speech for my Academy Award when I was five, so it would stand to reason that this would be no problem. But as a non-traditional student, I owe more than one favor to one person, and there are no little people to thank, only supporting players in an ensemble cast titled, "Holy Cow, You Did it Before You Were 40." Something my mother-in-law was sure would never happen, bless her heart.
Personally I would find it hard to single out one person.
As I think back to the infancy of my college career I remember the babysitter I hired for my children. To this day, I would gladly pay her the same amount as a brain surgeon, and also throw in the hazard pay she so richly deserved. She patiently waited for my financial aid to come in so that she could get paid. She also prayed for me every day. Believe me, I needed prayer. Never once did she send a guy named Vinny to my house as a warning while we waited for the beloved check that was in the mail. She also had a magical talent for getting my 3 year old to take a nap. I'm not sure how, but I think the technique resembled Steve Irwin rubbing a crocodile's belly to lull it into complacency. Ah, good times.
Like Dorothy on the yellow brick road, we meet up with many different characters who speak to our hearts, giving us courage, imparting wisdom and helping us maintain our course. There is a new award that pays tribute to some of our biggest cheerleaders, the same ones who knew we could do it even when we might have not been too sure ourselves.
According to the Web site for Student Life and Leadership the criteria for the award is as follows:
"For the first time this year, non-traditional seniors will be able to recognize family members, teachers, advisors, friends, and others who have given them support and assisted them in reaching graduation."
"This support might have been in the form of encouragement, financial assistance, child care, personal sacrifice or other tangible efforts to assist the student during the time they were enrolled at APSU."
"If the non-traditional student's nominee is selected to receive this honor, the student and their nominee will be given the opportunity to attend the banquet where the nominee will be awarded with the Putting Him/Her Through Award."
Now, anyone who knows me would not be surprised to hear that I wrote my acceptance speech for my Academy Award when I was five, so it would stand to reason that this would be no problem. But as a non-traditional student, I owe more than one favor to one person, and there are no little people to thank, only supporting players in an ensemble cast titled, "Holy Cow, You Did it Before You Were 40." Something my mother-in-law was sure would never happen, bless her heart.
Personally I would find it hard to single out one person.
As I think back to the infancy of my college career I remember the babysitter I hired for my children. To this day, I would gladly pay her the same amount as a brain surgeon, and also throw in the hazard pay she so richly deserved. She patiently waited for my financial aid to come in so that she could get paid. She also prayed for me every day. Believe me, I needed prayer. Never once did she send a guy named Vinny to my house as a warning while we waited for the beloved check that was in the mail. She also had a magical talent for getting my 3 year old to take a nap. I'm not sure how, but I think the technique resembled Steve Irwin rubbing a crocodile's belly to lull it into complacency. Ah, good times.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 10
Moonbeams
posted 4/16/08 @ 5:12 PM CST
I am so proud to know you. I can't wait to watch you flip that tassel to the other side. Mr. AP will have the bail money ready when we celebrate!
Miss Knowledge
posted 4/16/08 @ 5:20 PM CST
SO PROUD OF YOU! We will celebrate during the cornbread festival!
MaggieM
posted 4/16/08 @ 5:25 PM CST
It's an amazing journey and I'm glad the prayers helped. Now I'm going to go make fun of Amy for the chocolate rice cake. I'm proud. Even if I can't make it in person, I'm going to be grinning to myself as I imagine you walking across that stage. (Continued…)
DaDivaMom
posted 4/16/08 @ 5:59 PM CST
You already do the hardest job in the world being a Mom but completing your degree is no easy task either. I'm proud that you've continued and shined even with everything that life has thrown at ya. (Continued…)
Anastasia
posted 4/16/08 @ 10:30 PM CST
I'm so proud to know you and proud of the hard work you've put in to complete your degree while battling the munchkins on the homefront!
GunnysGirl
posted 4/17/08 @ 8:19 AM CST
I was glad to be of help. I'm sending more chocolate now!
Woofie
posted 4/17/08 @ 12:58 PM CST
The world better be ready, here you come. You can handle my PR when I write my book, "Psychosis in a Small Town!
Love you, Sunny!
LuAnne Parrish
posted 4/17/08 @ 4:59 PM CST
Great article! I'm 52, and thinking of returning to school. You make me believe it is possible, with the right support system, that is!!!
Sassygrits
posted 4/18/08 @ 6:18 AM CST
I thought about you last night as I was injecting myself ;>Ooooh SUGAR !
I had started reading this earlier and got called away from it...
Anyway, I thought about how (and IF) I could have made it through school with everything you are trying to handle and still do it. (Continued…)
Mummakat
posted 4/19/08 @ 2:25 PM CST
So proud of you. Can't wait until you graduate.
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