At the age of 51, my dad decided to go back to school, joining me at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg.
Now 54, my dad has stunned me by achieving great things in a short amount of time. He finished his associate degree and is well into his bachelor’s degree for mass communications. He put off school to raise me and work. Later, after his bicycle rental shop closed during the economic downturn, he ended up at a desk job he described as “soul sucking.” I could tell he was miserable. He took one class with me and realized how much he missed the learning environment.
“I always regretted not earning my degree,” he said.
It wasn’t long after that he decided to make a change. He quit that job and by the next school semester, he became a full-time student.
Writing had always been a gift of his, and in his second semester, he amazed me with his first ever article – a front-page story in The Crow’s Nest. It was a hard-hitting news article about carrying guns on school campuses. He has also become the first recipient of the Stephen Noble Internship, a paid internship at WUSF.
Am I jealous? Yes. But more importantly, I’m proud.
Although we are working toward the same degree and taking the same classes, there is no competition between us. We cheer each other on and ask advice when needed. We also come up with the best story ideas together. Some people ask if it’s awkward having my dad attend the same school and my answer is always no. I love having him at the same school because I get to see his hard work come to fruition when another article is published or a professor or peer tells me all about how much they love my dad and his writing.
Already proving that you can do anything you set your mind to, he has also reinforced in me the value of working hard. If this is how he starts his new beginning, I know he will go far. My dad and I will graduate together and I can’t wait. It will be so exciting to don the black cap and gown and walk across the stage with the man who has inspired me.
