Most people retire from work when they reach 65 years old, but not Lorna Thomas, who at this age started working towards her life-long goal of graduating from high school.
When Lorna was only 14 years old, she finished grade 8 in public school and then moved out on her own, quit school and started working for a living. She kept working until she was 64-years-old and, in the meantime, managed to raise two boys, one foster child, and has been blessed with 11 grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and two more are on the way.
Lorna, now 68 years young, is set to graduate this month, receiving her Adult Dogwood Diploma from Neskonlith Education Center.
“I always wanted to graduate, so when NEC started classes in Salmon Arm in 2017, I just had to go!” says Lorna, daughter of the late Dr. Mary Thomas, the famed Neskonlith elder and ethnobotanist who worked tirelessly to promote the Secwepemc language and culture.
Lorna has a message for fellow graduates, “I’m proud of you for graduating. I hope you continue with your studies, get a career, be happy and then think about starting a family.”
The Neskonlith Education Center plans to have Summer School for ages 12+ at both locations in Salmon Arm and Chase starting July 6.
“We hope to offer instruction in computers, coding, robotics and general tutoring in current classes depending on funding and enrollment,” says Neskonlith Education Center Principal Deb McDougall.
Registration deadline is June 26 at 4:00 pm and priority will go to Neskonlith and Indigenous students.
For more information contact necreception@neskonlithec.com.