2008 Woodie Awards
What's the Real Deal?
Farewell WCC Graduates!
Ta-Kara Roquemore
Issue date: 5/24/07 Section: Voices
At first I wasn't going to go to my graduation. It didn't seem that important. It was just an associate's degree. But then a couple of things happened that changed my mind.
I was talking to a friend of my mother's a while back. She told me to be proud of my associate's degree. She said it's not just a little accomplishment. She said an associate's degree builds the foundation for bigger things to come. She told me she earned two associate's degrees before she went on to earn a bachelor's degree, a master's degree and a teacher's certificate. I love my mom's friends: they always have my best interest at heart. They've known me since I was a baby. They're always encouraging and know the right words to say. But they're so much like my mom.
I wasn't totally convinced.
It was a second conversation that shifted my thinking.
I attended the U-M graduation ceremony in April to see a friend graduate. After the ceremony she introduced me to her father.
The Father: "Aren't you graduating from U-M?"
Ta-Kara: "No."
The Father: "Eastern?"
Ta-Kara: "No - I'm getting an associate's degree from Washtenaw Community College.
The Father: (looking surprised) "Oh, okay."
End of conversation.
I was irritated. I may not be graduating from one of those top universities, but I am doing something with my life.
At that moment the things my mom's friend had said about getting an associate's degree popped into my head: It is an accomplishment. I should feel proud. It's not just a useless piece of paper. It's something that I've been working hard toward. I've kept myself focused. I've stayed the course. An associate's degree signifies commitment; the ability to start something important and complete it.
One reason I've been able to keep that commitment and focus is because I've had dedicated teachers here at Washtenaw - teachers who have the passion for teaching which, for me, often made the difference between gaining a real appreciation and understanding of the subject rather than merely gaining textbook knowledge; teachers who believed in me when I didn't have the courage to believe in myself. When I wanted to quit, they were there, encouraging me every step of the way.
I was talking to a friend of my mother's a while back. She told me to be proud of my associate's degree. She said it's not just a little accomplishment. She said an associate's degree builds the foundation for bigger things to come. She told me she earned two associate's degrees before she went on to earn a bachelor's degree, a master's degree and a teacher's certificate. I love my mom's friends: they always have my best interest at heart. They've known me since I was a baby. They're always encouraging and know the right words to say. But they're so much like my mom.
I wasn't totally convinced.
It was a second conversation that shifted my thinking.
I attended the U-M graduation ceremony in April to see a friend graduate. After the ceremony she introduced me to her father.
The Father: "Aren't you graduating from U-M?"
Ta-Kara: "No."
The Father: "Eastern?"
Ta-Kara: "No - I'm getting an associate's degree from Washtenaw Community College.
The Father: (looking surprised) "Oh, okay."
End of conversation.
I was irritated. I may not be graduating from one of those top universities, but I am doing something with my life.
At that moment the things my mom's friend had said about getting an associate's degree popped into my head: It is an accomplishment. I should feel proud. It's not just a useless piece of paper. It's something that I've been working hard toward. I've kept myself focused. I've stayed the course. An associate's degree signifies commitment; the ability to start something important and complete it.
One reason I've been able to keep that commitment and focus is because I've had dedicated teachers here at Washtenaw - teachers who have the passion for teaching which, for me, often made the difference between gaining a real appreciation and understanding of the subject rather than merely gaining textbook knowledge; teachers who believed in me when I didn't have the courage to believe in myself. When I wanted to quit, they were there, encouraging me every step of the way.
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