67-year-old woman fulfils lifelong dream, graduates from US high school with good grade67-year-old Renee Carroll fulfils lifelong dream to graduate from high school
A determined 67-year-old woman named Renee Carroll has fulfilled her lifelong dream of earning a high school degree after concluding her academic journey in Goodwill Excel Center in Washington D.C, United States.
Renee Carroll returned to school after working for over 40 years. She stated that returning to school after about 40 years was very hard work. “The younger people really rallied around me and carried me through.” She described her experience of going back to school.
The Goodwill Excel Center in Washington DC is an adult public charter high school which was established to award adult learners who did not graduate in the past with high school diplomas rather than a GED.
Renee Carroll was the oldest in her graduating class. The school said it is never too late to achieve anything in education.
“It’s never too late to do anything in life in terms of education. We have quite a population of students coming back to school and deciding that this is something they want to do.” school’s senior officer, Dawn Rhodes told WTOP.
FAQs:
Who is Renee Carroll and where did she graduate from?
Renee Carroll is a 67‑year‑old Black woman from Washington, DC, who earned her high school diploma at the Goodwill Excel Center, a tuition‑free adult charter high school designed for adults who didn’t graduate in earlier years.
Why is her graduation significant?
She was the oldest student in her graduating class, fulfilling a lifelong ambition decades after leaving school. Her achievement highlights that it’s never too late to pursue education and personal goals.
What was her educational journey like?
Carroll returned to school after about 40 years away from formal education, starting at the Goodwill Excel Center in Foggy Bottom. The program operates on five 8‑week terms and offers flexible, supportive learning for adult students.
What challenges did she face, and what helped her succeed?
She described her return to school as “very hard work.” Support from younger classmates played a pivotal role—she noted “the younger people really rallied around me and carried me through” .
What did Renee say about this experience?
She called the journey “uplifting,” “life‑changing,” and “mountain‑moving.” Proudly holding her diploma, she declared: “I just raised the roof on where I’m going”