Image Credit: Neskonlith Education Centre

By James Peters

Graduation

Shuswap great grandmother finally graduates from high school

Jun 18, 2020 | 2:43 PM

SALMON ARM, B.C. — A 68-year-old Shuswap woman has fulfilled her lifelong dream — graduating with a high school diploma.

Lorna Thomas of Salmon Arm will receive her diploma this month after completing classes through the Neskonlith Education Centre.

Thomas quit school at age 14 after finishing Grade 8. Instead of continuing, she decided to start working for a living.

Since then, she has raised two boys and a foster child, and has seen the birth of 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren – with two more on the way.

Nonetheless, education was still a priority for Thomas. She is the daughter of the late Dr. Mary Thomas, the noted ethnobotanist famed for promoting the Secwepemc language and culture.

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Upon her graduation, Thomas advises her fellow grads to learn from her life’s path: “I’m proud of you for graduating. I hope you continue with your studies, get a career, be happy and then think about starting a family.”

Lorna Thomas (Image Credit: Neskonlith Education Centre)