I am submitting a picture of me graduating cum laude from Lamar University in Beaumont, TX with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Violin Performance on May 10, 2008 at age 61! I discovered that the longer you are out of college, the more of a challenge it is to keep your mind as sharp as if you were 20, but I did it. I think this is the hardest I have worked at something for a long time.

It has long been a dream of mine to get my degree in violin performance and be able to play at special occasions. l received my Associate Degree in Business from San Diego City College In 1967 and worked as a secretary (administrative assistant) for over 20 years. I got serious about pursuing my music degree in 1987 when I started taking my core classes in night school, one per semester. I went full-time to another junior college 1990 for one and a half years to take more core subjects and began taking music courses. Between 1995 and 2004 I took night courses on and off. When my boyfriend got a job in Beaumont, I was determined to finish my degree. We moved in November 2005. In the Fall of 2006 I began and went straight through, including two summers. I had a superb violin teacher who really pushed me to get back up to the professional level, where I was for a brief period of time in the past. After 21 years I have finally fulfilled my lifelong dream. I am in two paid symphonies in Louisiana, and plan on auditioning for a local symphony in August or September. I am also going to be the soloist at my brother's wedding on May 31st. I am really excited. I am also in the process of making flyers and business advertising my services, and looking for beginning and intermediate violin students.

Some of my friends received their diplomas right out of high school or shortly thereafter, and some have retired already, which makes it more special for me, as 1 am just now beginning a new career.

I hope this is an inspiration to other people that it is never too late to fulfill your dream if you have a strong enough desire and passion to do so.

Thank you, John, for keeping up the newsletter and all the extra work that goes with it in order to keep all the Crawford alumni in touch with each other. Keep up the good work -- Cathy Seidman Warmack, '64