The Wells Family: A Legacy of Learning Across Generations
“Returning to school after a 76-year hiatus is no small feat!” writes Mary Wells, Odyssey Class of 2007, about her 92-year-old mother. “It takes courage, determination, and a strong belief in oneself.” Mary credits Odyssey Senior classes with “opening the door to Mom taking the next steps in a long-awaited goal of returning to school.” We salute Ms. Sarah Wells for earning her high school equivalency degree and an “Exemplary Learner Award” from Madison College. How many 92-year-olds cross the stage in cap and gown?
The last time Ms. Sarah Wells sat in a high school classroom, Rosa Parks had yet to refuse to give up her seat on a Montgomery bus, Alaska and Hawaii were not yet states, and the first manned spaceship was still eight years away. She dropped out of school to help her mother, who worked as a cook in a sorority house. Yet, throughout her life, a spark of desire to get an education flickered inside her.
This past year, that spark caught fire. Inspired by her time in Odyssey Senior, Ms. Wells declared, “It’s never too late!” and returned to the classroom to earn a High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED) at the age of 92. It was more than a personal achievement – it was a testament to the transformative power of education for the entire Wells family.
Sarah Wells, a natural storyteller with a rich family history, was encouraged by her daughter, Mary, to sign up for Odyssey Senior – a free, five-week enrichment course for relatives of Odyssey alumni over the age of 55. Mary, an Odyssey Project graduate herself (class of 2007), knew her mother would enjoy the program and benefit from sharing her experiences. Education has been a family affair for the Wells family, with Mary’s nieces, a nephew, and a grandson all following in Mary’s footsteps and graduating from Odyssey. When the opportunity to join Odyssey Senior arose, Mary immediately thought of her mother, recognizing the value of her unique perspective and the wealth of stories she had to share.
Mary said that Ms. Wells earning her HSED was truly a “watershed moment” for their family, who all gathered to celebrate their matriarch’s accomplishment, 72 years in the making, with a party at the Odyssey space on the eve of Sarah Wells’ graduation.
The Wells family’s multigenerational journey is a testament to the profound impact education can have not only on a single person but on whole families and communities – and that it’s not just about acquiring knowledge, but empowerment, opportunity, and hope…at any age.
To her astonishment, Sarah Wells found herself a celebrity. She was brought up on stage to receive shout-outs from the president of Madison College and a legislative proclamation before receiving her diploma, all captured by TV cameras and newspaper photographers. Read some of the amazing coverage of this milestone on WKOW TV, the Cap Times, Madison 365, Wisconsin Public Radio, and Madison College.