Schools

Never Too Late: Grandfather, Grandson Earn Their High School Diplomas

After 51 years, 67-year-old Patrick Marshall will finally receive his high school diploma as he walks with his grandson Daniel Aragon during Whitcomb High School's graduation ceremony.

For nearly 50 years, Glendora resident Patrick Marshall said he had been living a lie.

The 67-year-old retired truck driver always told his children the same thing.

“I’d wave my finger at them and say, ‘Get your diploma, because I have mine,’ said Marshall. It was the same mantra Marshall told his 22-year-old grandson Daniel Aragon, who after years of struggling in high school, was working toward his diploma at Whitcomb High School’s Adult Education program.

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But Marshall didn’t have his diploma. Lured by the prospect of making quick money by joining the workforce, Marshall dropped out of high school in the 10th grade.

Fifty-one years later, Marshall is one step closer to completing his journey toward his high school diploma.

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Encouraged by his grandson’s teacher, Marshall entered into the same adult education program as his grandson. Now, grandfather and grandson will walk across the same stage at the Citrus College's Student Center tonight during their high school commencement ceremony, proving it’s never too late to finish what you started.

“We’re all different. Some people excel. For some people, it takes a little longer,” said Marshall. “It took me 51 years.”

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Marshall almost can’t remember a time he wasn’t working. He was 11 when he began selling newspapers for 3 cents. By the time he was 16, Marshall caught what he calls “money fever” and decided he’d rather pursue work full time rather spend another day in a classroom. His parents, who never earned beyond an eighth-grade education, encouraged him to make money right away.

He dropped out of Fairfax High School in his sophomore year and bounced around doing odd jobs until he began a 48-year career in truck driving.

Still, the high school diploma he never received was always in the back of his mind. Marshall inquired about finishing his high school credits nearly 40 years ago, but was told he needed to finish a semester class to do so.

By then, he had been hired with a new truck-driving company, and found it impossible to complete the required coursework.

“I decided, ‘To Hell with it!’ I already had a job,” said Marshall. “The average guy was making $2 an hour back then. I was making $6.”

But after 48 years, Marshall’s career as a truck driver came to an abrupt halt when he tore his rotator cuff on the job.

Forced into retirement, Marshall wondered what he would do with his new spare time.

His grandson, now living with Marshall and his wife Christina, had just begun the Adult Education Program at Whitcomb High School.

Aragon had struggled at Glendora High School, and after running into trouble that caused him to be removed from the school, Aragon resumed his education at Whitcomb.

Marshall decided one day to meet with Aragon’s teacher Jon Willert to check up on his grandson’s progress.

While speaking to Willert, Marshall confessed he never received his high diploma. When Willert asked him if he ever thought about returning, Marshall thought he was joking.

“What’s the point?” he asked. “I’m 67. I’m not working anymore.”

Willert looked at Marshall and said, “It’s never too late.”

The words rang in Marshall’s mind for days. After two weeks, Marshall was back at Whitcomb High School knocking on Willert’s door.

“He asked me why I wanted to do this,” said Marshall. “I said, ‘Because I quit when I was in 10th grade. And I never quit.’”

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The work, admits Marshall, was difficult. He came home with a huge pile of workbook packets of material he hadn’t seen in decades.

Some parts of the coursework he enjoyed. He relished in learning about history, the American wars and religion. While he loathed English the first time around, he found that writing creatively was actually fun.

But getting used to new technology was a challenge. A self-proclaimed computer illiterate, he employed the help of his wife and grandson to help him do Internet research for his essays.

But the most difficult challenge was grasping math concepts, said Marshall. Both grandfather and grandson labored for hours on math workbooks, trying to help each other navigate through algebra problems.

“It never made sense to me even though I got the right answers,” said Marshall. “What does it mean? Give me a piece of wood and tell me to put a cut here and there. I’ll measure it and tell you its three quarters, and I want three-eighths, and I’ll get it right on the money and everything will fit like a puzzle.”

For Marshall’s wife Christina, watching her husband and grandson work through hours of frustration and intense studying was almost agonizing.

“It was a nightmare,” Mrs. Marshall said with a laugh. “The two would be studying in the dining room and Grandpa would read the questions over and over again to Danny, and I’d be like, “Oh God, Danny please just get it.” They just about drove me nuts, both of them.”

But the hard work paid off. After 10 months in the program, Marshall will join his grandson during Whitcomb High School’s graduation ceremony Tuesday, June 7 at 5 p.m. at Citrus College’s Student Center.

Marshall will be one of the commencement speakers, inspiring his audience with a message he knows from experience – it’s never to late to reach your goals.

Now that the 51-year mission toward his high school diploma is complete, Marshall said he would like to travel – perhaps drive around the country, this time for fun rather than for work.

“Who knows?” said Marshall. “If I can do this, maybe college?”

Aragon said he isn’t sure where his career will take him after high school, but says he would like to continue working.

“It feels good to finally get this over with,” said Aragon. “It’s also pretty cool that [my grandfather] is getting his diploma, too…I’m proud of him.”

The feeling between grandfather and grandson is mutual.

“I always tell my kids and grandkids, ‘When you start a job, do it well and finish it, because that’s what I would do,’” said Marshall. “And now, that’s the truth.”


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