92-year-old woman graduates high school
Ruth Brown Ross examines her high school diploma with the assistance of National Honor Society sponsor Ray VanSickle during Bethlethem-Center High School's commencement on Friday evening. Ross, 92, quit high school during her junior year in 1937 but always desired to return and finish her high school education. Ross said, "It's better than I ever thought it would be.''
Ruth Brown Ross receives a hug from her fellow National Honor Society member Nick Ross of Brownsville during Bethlehem-Center High School's commencement on Friday evening in Fredericktown. Ross, 92, quit high school after her junior year in 1937 but always desired to return and finish her high school education. “As I kept getting older, I thought 'Why not?''' she said, "And now I'm here.''
Joel Brewton | Herald-Standard
Assisted by Ray VanSickle, National Honor Society sponsor, Ruth Brown Ross is presented with her high school diploma by Superintendent Linda Marcolini during Bethlehem-Center High School’s commencement on Friday evening. Ross, 92, quit high school after her junior year in 1937 but always desired to return and finish her high school education.
FREDERICKTOWN — Ruth Brown Ross stood up from her wheelchair and with a few steps made the walk of a lifetime as the 92-year-old great-grandmother accepted her high school diploma. Ross was one of about 95 students graduating Friday night from Bethlehem-Center High School.
She received a standing ovation.
“It’s better than I ever thought it would be,” Ross said after the 7 p.m. ceremony that took place at Bethlehem-Center Stadium. “Everybody’s been so kind. They took me in and embraced me.”
A native of Clarksville, Greene County, Ross dropped out of East Bethlehem Township High School after her junior year to marry Vance Ross in 1937. She was just 16. The couple, who had three children, were married for 66 years before Vance Ross, a coal miner, died in 2003.
Now living in Tarpon Springs, Fla, with her daughter Janet Ross Brown, Ross suffered a fall last winter. As she was recovering, medical personnel asked Ross about her education, and it upset her to tell them she had not finished high school.
“It was always in the back of my mind,” Ross said. “As I kept getting older, I thought ‘Why not?’ And now I’m here.”
Ross earned the diploma thanks to the help of her family and officials at Bethlehem-Center School District.
Granddaughter Randi Ross Marodi of Bentleyville said, “She had expressed an interest to me that she wanted to get her GED (General Education Development). She felt bad about not having her diploma.”
Marodi contacted officials at Bethlehem-Center High School to see if there was some way her grandmother could obtain her high school diploma.
“She didn’t want to be given it without earning it,” explained Marodi.
She said school officials checked their files and discovered that Ross had been an exceptional student and came up with the idea of having her earn an honorary diploma by completing a senior project. They asked Ross to write an essay or create a video about life during the Great Depression. With the help of Brown and granddaughter Shannon Ross Davis of Dayton, Ohio, Ross did both.
“It was a family event,” said Marodi. “Everyone helped, and it all worked out.”
Then Bethlehem-Center school officials went one step further by including Ross in this year’s graduation ceremony. They also made her a member of the National Honor Society. Ross and her family were very grateful.
The school assigned Ray VanSickle of Uniontown, a Spanish teacher and sponsor of the National Honor Society, to assist Ross Friday throughout the ceremony. He sat beside Ross and helped her walk to accept her diploma from Linda M. Marcolini, superintendent, Aaron O. Cornell, principal, and Chad M. Novotney, president of the board of education.
“She’s a true Bulldog now,” said VanSickle, referring to the school mascot. “Our faculty, staff and students could not be happier for her.”
“We’re excited that Ruth decided to finish her senior project to graduate with the class,” said Marcolini, adding, “I think this is a lesson for the students that, no matter how old you are, you can continue on with your dreams and goals.”
Cornell commented, “We’re just happy to help her fulfill a lifetime dream. It’s nice that education is that important to her. She’s a great role model for all our students.”
Seth Hvizda of Malden, senior class president, pushed Ross in her wheelchair in the procession as “Pomp and Circumstance” played for the graduates.
“I think it’s amazing and a great accomplishment,” said Hvizda.
Ross’s three children and most of her eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren were in attendance. They came from Ohio, New York, North Carolina, Florida and California. They greeted her before the ceremony and gathered together afterwards for a family photograph.
“She’s always made me very proud, and the fact the whole family is here to witness this is a testament to how much we love and respect her,” said Brown.
Wayne Ross of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., said of his mother, “We’re very proud of her. She’s so excited.”
Kenneth Ross of Dayton, Ohio, also remarked of his mother, “I never knew she felt the way she did. Once Randi found out, she made the arrangements, and this happened, and we’re proud.”
During the ceremony, McKenna Lohr, valedictorian, and Elizabeth Paul, salutatorian, gave sincere and strongly felt speeches about their school years and hopes for the future. Marcolini and Cornell spoke about how proud they were of the students, noting they attended extra hours of school in order to graduate on time.
And Ross’s accomplishment was also mentioned during the ceremony as Washington County Commissioner Harlan G. Shober Jr. offered Ross a certificate of recognition from the board of commissioners.
He congratulated her efforts and noted, “The example you set is inspirational and one your fellow graduates will carry in their hearts.”
Ross also thought of those youths, saying, “I”m glad they didn’t give up and graduated. One thing is never, never give up.”