Gloucester woman's saga carries lessons for us all

May 19, 2008 06:00 am

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As we enter the height of graduation season, we recognize that all students earning their high-school diplomas and those graduating at their college or university commencement ceremonies deserve congratulations and best wishes for the future.

But Gloucester resident Stephanie McKinney is one graduate who deserves a special salute, for her story, as spotlighted in Saturday's Times, speaks volumes about what one can achieve through commitment and perseverance — and her saga should be a lesson to all of us about the need to, as she says, "never give up."

McKinney graduated Sunday from Suffolk University with a bachelor's degree in social work — 19 years after she first entered Suffolk and 22 years after she first entered college.

McKinney — who was raised on Lincoln Street by loving foster parents Dorothy and Richard Skillen — is a 1980 Gloucester High School who had wanted to go into the Peace Corps, only to find she needed a four-year degree to be eligible. So — while working, commuting and raising daughter Shawnamandela, whose name is a tribute to her father and Nelson Mandela — McKinney kept pursuing her degree, off and on, at one point having to convince a Suffolk dean that she was indeed serious about earning her diploma, and deserved re-admission after an eight-year absence.

What made her continue pursuing that dream through all those years? For one thing, McKinney says, she first "wants to do something for the city of Gloucester, which has been so good to me." That sentiments deserves kudos in its own right. But she said she's also still considering a Peace Corps stint — and she wanted to be sure to set a good example for Shawnamandela, who is also due to graduate next month from Gloucester High School.

McKinney's commitment certainly does stand as a good example for her daughter. But her effort also stands as a positive example for us all.

Congratulations, Stephanie — not just for succeeding in your pursuit of higher learning, but for teaching us all a life lesson or two along the way.