Monday was an exciting and emotional day at Seattle’s Westlake Center. Empowerment Tour sponsor, American Public University, awarded a full-tuition scholarship to Rosendo Guerrero, 45, a single father of three from Federal Way, WA. Much like the other scholarship recipients we've had the pleasure of meeting, Mr. Guerrero did not know when he woke up that morning that his life would be changed in a matter of hours. As he sat with two daughters during our press conference, Rosendo's excitement was clear. When university representative Crystal Jones presented Mr. Guerrero with the award to American Public University, his eyes lit up. “I almost cried.” said Rosendo's youngest daughter, Morgan. Both girls are starting college this year, much like their father will soon begin his online classes. “We will all support each other,” says Rosendo, who also has a son in high school. Rosendo’s journey to earning a college degree began over twenty years ago. In his essay, Mr. Guerrero wrote, "When I graduated from high school in 1982 I immediately pursued an 8 year career in the US Air Force traveling the world for my country. My job always kept me traveling unable to pursue an education while on active duty. Once I left the military, I was offered a job with The Boeing Company as a Quality Inspector. I had applied for several management positions but was always denied due to a lack of college education. Raising three children as a single dad always kept me too busy to take any courses at my community college. When I finally did speak with a counselor, my military benefits had expired and was unable to use my GI Bill for an education. As my children have grown and now have graduated from high school, I am pleading with them to pursue a college education and not follow in my footsteps. I have found myself currently unemployed and it seems every time I apply for a position, the requirements state two or four year degree required. I now wish to finally receive the education that I had worked so hard for while serving in the military and a 10 year career with the Boeing Company. I would ask that you grant me the money to pursue this dream. Thank you. " Mr. Guerrero's advice to other adults in a similar situation - lots of work experience, but not enough education - who are worried they are “too old“ to go back to school? “Education doesn’t have an age on it. Anybody can get a degree. Anybody can go back to school at any age.” We couldn’t agree more! Best wishes to you all! Learn more about American Public University, who offers over 70 different online degree programs, at http://www.studyatapu.com/empower.
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