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There are numerous reasons why Daphne Cole felt victorious as she walked across the stage to receive her associate of science degree from Citrus College on May 20. First, having received an associate of arts in 2003, this was the second degree the San Dimas resident had earned from Citrus College in three years. Second, the 57-year-old was fairly older than the majority of the day’s graduates. She had also been accepted to the California State University at Los Angeles and was preparing to enroll in the fall. The mere fact that Daphne was walking was a victory in itself. “My daughter and I were involved in a major car accident in 2004,” she said. “My injuries left me unable to walk for some time. I ended up using a walker and then a cane, but I was determined to walk on my own again.” However, the main reason Daphne was feeling triumphant was not because she was reaching a personal goal. Instead, she was overjoyed because this ceremony was marking the success of one of her fellow graduates. “My youngest daughter graduated with me,” the proud mother said. Daphne and Fatmata had not originally planned for graduation to become a family affair. In fact, Daphne had started school a long time before her daughter. “When she made the decision to attend Citrus, I supported her completely,” she said. Fatmata says that she actually chose to enroll at Citrus College because of convenience. “Citrus is closer to my home than any other college,” she said. “By going to school here, I was able to save money and learn all about college life.” However, going to the same school as her mother had its benefits. “She is my support system and helps me through my problems,” Fatmata said. “She also helped me decide which teachers to take and what classes to enroll in.” Daphne also found the arrangement beneficial. “My daughter is a beautiful, loving, caring, reliable, determined and independent woman. She is also my friend. Without her, I would never have made it after the car accident,” she said. “My daughter helped show me that it was important not to give up, even when times are hard. She helped me believe in myself.” Unfortunately, “hard times” have not been uncommon for the Coles. Prior to sustaining injuries in the 2004 car accident, Daphne suffered from a variety of other ailments. |
“I have had to go through several surgeries and I lost my voice for several months, but I still managed to attend my classes,” she said. “My daughter was, and still is, with me every step of the way.” Fatmata has also struggled. She was also injured in the 2004 accident and has been dealing with the effects ever since. “I was not expected to finish my classes, let alone pass them,” she said. “I was suffering from a back injury, but I managed to pass all of my classes despite all of the pain I was in.” But now, the 20-year-old is preparing to transfer to a four-year university. Coincidently, it is the same school her mother will be going to. “We never planned on attending Cal State L.A. together,” Daphne said. “My counselors at Citrus told me that it was the best university for my major. It just happened to be the best school for my daughter’s major, too.” Although they will be attending the same school, mother and daughter have different academic and professional goals. Daphne would like to obtain a bachelor’s degree and enter the social work profession. Fatmata, on the other hand, plans on becoming a registered nurse. And while many people her age would avoid attending college with one of their parents, Fatmata welcomes it. “My mother is the most wonderful person in my life. She cares a lot about her family and other people,” she said. “She is very smart and strong. I admire the strength and determination she has always exhibited.” Looking back, the Coles say that attending Citrus College helped them get to where they are today. “The greatest lesson I learned at Citrus College was that it is important to communicate with all of the student service departments on campus, especially the Career/Transfer Center, Counseling, and Disabled Students Programs and Services,” Daphne said. “It is also very important to interact with your professors and other students.” But even more than learning about the college experience, Daphne and Fatmata say that they learned a lot about themselves at Citrus. “Graduation day was the best day of my life,” Daphne said. “It was proof that the only thing that can stop me from achieving my goals is me.” Fatmata says that Citrus College changed her outlook as a student. “Instead of scaring me away from college, it made me even more determined to continue despite my obstacles,” she said. She also learned more about her mother. “The lesson I have learned from my mom is to never give up on my dreams and to push hard to accomplish these dreams,” Fatmata said. In the end, Daphne is happy she had the opportunity to graduate with her daughter. “Sure, it took me longer to reach my goal, but the accident was actually a blessing in disguise,” she said. “It gave me the unique experience of graduating on the same day as my daughter.” “I am very proud of Fatmata,” she added. “I believe that we are a mother and daughter who will make a difference in other people’s lives.” |