| A publication of the Central Oklahoma Classic Chevy Club. A not-for-profit corporation. A chapter of Bow Tie Chevys and Classic Chevy International. |
| I did it I am proud |
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By Kay Lynn Dragoo Class of 2000, COCCC member My story began in 1962. I graduated from Tecumseh High School and started the University of Oklahoma that fall. Even though coming from a highly educated family, I never got around to completing a college degree. My father and mother each held masters degrees from the University of Oklahoma. In 1963 I quit OU full time and went to work attending night school until my husband John and I started a family. Start and stop My college history included sporadic semesters of night school until I went as far as I could at OU. OU doesn't offer a bachelors degree program through night school. John, and our son John David, both graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma. Our daughter, Suzette, earned a Ph.D. at Oklahoma State University. Emotionally, I always felt lacking in this area. When one starts something, one should complete it. In August 1997, we heard about Mid-America Bible College, and I wanted to try once again; so, I signed up. It was obvious that I was the oldest person in my classes, but I felt a general acceptance among, my classmates. Thanks to the incredible support I received from my wonderful husband and mother, Goldia Crouch, I was successful in prioritizing time for schoolwork. If John wanted to do something other than watching rented movies while I studied, he never complained. Mom did more than her share holding down the household chores allowing me extra time. Lots of work Upon reflection, it seems I was always needing to read a book and facing a deadline to complete homework, or write a paper. My research paper was titled "Impaired or Inspired." The paper examined why some people with disabilities sit back and let the world go by while others achieve fulfilling lives. I had to find time for research and composition of this small book in addition to regular schoolwork.  A big day August 15, 1999, was a big day; I completed my last class almost two years to the day since I had started back to school. It was a literature class, and I still had an exit paper to write but finished it a couple of weeks later. I intended to discard the gray canvas bag that I carried back and forth to classes and held my ever present homework. However, this bag became symbolic, and I find I am unable to toss it. On May 6, 2000, I will walk across the stage at Mid-America Bible College and officially receive my degree, a rite of passage that took me 37 years to accomplish. I DID IT AND I AM PROUD! The piece of paper says CUM LAUDE, and this fills me with pride. However, the meaningful reward is self-fulfillment. Kay Lynn Dragoo is a longtime member of the Central Oklahoma Classic Chevy Club and works tirelessly in its behalf. |