A Dream Realized After Decades of Waiting
At the age of 74, Raelene Page finally walked across the stage to receive her college degree, a dream she had put on hold for over five decades. Her journey is a powerful testament to perseverance, family support, and the belief that it’s never too late to pursue your goals.
From Hopes to Setbacks
In 1969, Raelene had the opportunity to attend Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. However, she made the decision to stay close to home in northern Maine, choosing instead to build a life centered around family and work. She got married, started a family, and took on various roles such as running a daycare, managing a restaurant, working as a bookkeeper, and eventually becoming a Postmaster with the Postal Service before retiring in 2012.
Over the years, the idea of returning to school faded into the background, overshadowed by the demands of raising her children and managing a household. “Raising my family and working consumed my time and I lost hope of ever being able to attend college,” she recalls.
Despite this, the desire to learn never completely disappeared. “I have always wished that I had attended college because I realized early on that I loved school and learning,” she says.
A New Beginning
Years later, after moving to California, Raelene came across the BYU Pathway program. Initially, the idea of returning to school seemed unattainable, especially since it required in-person meetings. However, when she learned that the program could be completed virtually, the possibility became real.
With the help of her granddaughter, Taylor Page, she took the leap in 2022. “I had no idea what would be required of me, and that was a good thing,” Raelene says. “I only knew that this was something I wanted and needed to do.”
Challenges and Growth
Returning to school after so many years came with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was adapting to technology. “The biggest challenge for me was that I was an old school learner and had very few computer skills,” she admits.
Her family witnessed the learning curve firsthand. “My family and I would receive random calls from nana asking things like how to save a document, or how to right click, or copy and paste,” Taylor recalls. “We would help when and where we could, but nana did a lot of it on her own.”
Even with these difficulties, Raelene pushed through moments of self-doubt and anxiety. “At times, self doubt and anxiety over the possibility of failure was a challenge,” she says. “I would ask myself why I was doing this.” But the answer remained the same: “I wanted to prove to myself that I could.”
Faith and Family Support
What kept Raelene going was her faith in God and the power of prayer. “I knew that He would help me and He did through every step,” she adds.
On the day of her graduation, her family was there to celebrate. “The day of her graduation was so exciting,” Taylor says. “My little brother and I surprised her by traveling into town for her graduation. She had the sweetest reaction and was so stoked we were there to support her.”
The celebration extended beyond the ceremony itself, turning into a full family moment. “My mom and I helped nana pick out her graduation dress, we did a family dinner, and then we all went over to the university to watch her walk across the stage,” Taylor says.
A Viral Moment of Inspiration
Wanting to capture the moment, Taylor filmed the event and later posted it on TikTok. The video quickly resonated with people far beyond their family. “I’m not surprised it resonated with so many, knowing her story is as touching as it is, & her joy & pride can be felt so easily watching her celebrate her big day,” Taylor says.
The reactions from the video were overwhelmingly positive. “Lots saying it was a reminder that it’s never too late to become who you want to become,” she adds. Some messages stood out more than others, including those expressing love and pride for Raelene.
A Legacy of Hope
For Raelene, what began as a personal goal has taken on a deeper meaning. “My dream did not originate from wanting to inspire anyone but now that dream has taken on new meaning,” she says.
She hopes her journey continues to ripple outward, especially for those who may feel like it’s too late to start. “I hope that my accomplishment will inspire my grandchildren and others to never give up,” she says. “Through commitment and hard work, dreams can come true. Never give up!”
