Kathy Vitzthum had been enrolled in an accounting program at Iowa State University for seven years, propelled by the promise of a promotion and tuition reimbursement by her boss. She had completed the courses her boss had requested and was thinking of dropping out of the college program, diverted by the pressures of marriage, a full time job and parenthood.

But her father made a request as he lay dying of cancer eleven years ago, and it made her think twice about her life and her future. He made Kathy promise to finish school and he in turn made a promise to her. One of two children, she and her sibling were to receive a valuable present upon graduation from college. For Kathy, her eye was on an antique curio cabinet she had admired but could not afford.

Her parents bought her the cabinet she wanted so badly after she promised them that she would graduate at all costs. With every day that passed since then, she would look at the cabinet and remember her promise. In between an incredibly busy schedule as wife mother and full time employee, she managed, taking one course every semester, to finally graduate summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in accounting at the age of 48.

She persisted and prevailed, proving it is never too late to learn and achieve. While that childhood dream of wishing on a star to make it so may not be true, working hard with an eye on your goal reaps success and that is no fairy tale.

Kudos, Kathy!