Red Deer grandmother completes high school, graduating 47 years later
It’s common for a grandmother and grandson to have a special bond and to share many cherished memories. But for Heidi Cowell, 64, and her grandson Carter Cowell, 18, their bond is unique as they shared in one of the most momentous and celebrated occasions together – crossing the graduation stage together.
Heidi was scheduled to graduate in 1972, but dropped out in May of her graduating year after getting engaged in January of the same year. Times were different then, and Heidi didn’t graduate since she was getting married later that summer.
Life carried on and Heidi had a family, worked and raised a family, many of those years as a single parent.
Her grandson Carter started attending North Cottage, an alternative high school program within Red Deer Public Schools. With Red Deer Public’s priority of success and completion, Heidi was encouraged to come back and finish high school.