At 51, UH’s Spedale looking forward to graduation

By Mike Emery
Staff writer

It’s never too late to realize your dreams.

Just ask Lynette Spedale. At age 51, she will finally earn a college degree and become a full-time elementary school teacher. It’s something she’s aspired to ever since she was a young girl and thanks to receiving two endowed scholarships, this dream will be a reality.

Spedale received the Houston Assembly of Delphian Chapters scholarship and the Charlotte and Jim Fullenweider scholarship.

It was a welcome break, but she’ll admit that it was a long time coming. Prior to the scholarships, Spedale worked long hours for the United Parcel Service (UPS), arriving at her job regularly at 3:30 a.m. Likewise, she had to overcome her memories of not being allowed to attend college by her parents.

Speaking at the recent Endowed Scholarships Luncheon, Spedale recounted her struggles following her graduation from high school.

“In my family, girls did not go to college,” she said. “I had 17 aunts and uncles and almost all of them owned their own business. Girls in our family got married, had children and helped their husbands with their businesses.”

After graduating from high school in 1970, Spedale began working to earn money for college. She eventually enrolled at Sam Houston State University, but after just one semester, her parents physically removed her from the campus, and it seemed as if a college education was just a distant fantasy.

After 29 years, the urge to return to college was too much for Spedale to bear. In 1999, she began attending classes at the University of Houston.

Two years later, the pressures of holding down a strenuous full-time job at UPS became overwhelming, so she contacted the UH’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. Somewhat daunted because she was not a traditional college student in terms of her age, she still applied for both Delphian and Fullenweider scholarships.

To her surprise, she was awarded both and now, five years later, she will receive her degree this May.

Spedale is currently a student teacher at Post Elementary School and couldn’t be happier. She has been applauded by many during her journey, including her two children, four grandchildren and even her mother, whom she now refers to as her own ‘personal cheerleader.’

While her dream is about to finally come true, Spedale is insistent on helping the dreams of her students come true as well.

“I’ve always loved children and now, I have the chance to work with them every day,” she said. “To see their little faces light up when they’re learning is so amazing. Their dreams are very much alive, and I want to help them build on these dreams.”