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A story 'nothing short of a miracle'

Scholarship opens educational doors for a 51-year-old mother

By Geronimo Rodriguez
Senior Staff Writer

Lynette Spedale is a traditional college student -- as far as UH is concerned.

Thirty-four years after her parents withdrew her from Sam Houston State University to live the only life her family knew, the 51-year-old mother of two said she's reclaimed her dreams and will earn her bachelor's in education from UH in May.

Manuel Rearte/The Daily Cougar

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"In my family, girls got married, had children and helped their husbands in their business," the education senior said. "I graduated on a Friday and went to work that Monday to save up money to go to school the next semester."

After enrolling at SHSU in 1970, Spedale said her parents got on Interstate 45 and headed toward the campus where their daughter was wrapping up her first semester. They left SHSU -- with Spedale sitting in the back seat.

While her dream of earning a diploma stayed on the shelf, Spedale raised two children and took a job as a United Parcel Service driver.

Then, one day, Spedale said she decided to re-visit the college scene on I-45 and drove toward UH -- a haven for non-traditional students -- and not SHSU.

"I would wake up to go to work for UPS at 3:30 in the morning and attend classes later that day," the grandmother of three said. 

The routine went smoothly for a couple of years until "out of desperation, I entered the scholarships office," Spedale said.

With the help of Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid Melissa Martinez, Spedale applied for multiple scholarships. With the help of her 4.0 grade-point average, she won.

"This story is nothing short of a miracle," Spedale said.

It's only fitting that Spedale, who is a first-grade student-teacher at Post Elementary School, will use her diploma to help young students realize their dreams.

UH President Jay Gogue began Wednesday's ceremony by thanking donors of UH scholarships.
 

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