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(Springfield, MO) -- Proud families and friends watched as more than a hundred graduates got their degrees from the University of Phoenix in Springfield Saturday. Delia Ross was one of them.
Ross worked for years to get her diploma, but it's her journey that sets her apart.
"I was on active duty so I didn't have time to do school," said Ross.
Ross joined the military in 2001. She wanted to serve her country and work towards her college degree. However, just months after signing up, the World Trade Center attacks destroyed her chances of a quiet service.
"I was stationed in Germany," Ross said. "I've [also] been deployed to Kuwait and Iraq."
She helped soldiers and civilians as a medic in Iraq. All the while, she tried to be the best parent possible to her now 13-year-old daughter.
"I'm a single parent so it's good that I have good family support who can help out with my daughter for the times that I have to leave," Ross said.
"[We are] very proud of her very proud of her," said Linda Lott, Ross's aunt.
Although battles held up the books for years, Ross finally achieved her dream and completed her journey from deployment to diploma on Saturday.
"It's just amazing to finally get there," said Ross.
Ross plans to continue her education.
Aside from here career in the Department of Defense and working in the reserves, Ross is also a poet. She even has a book of her work published.
Ross worked for years to get her diploma, but it's her journey that sets her apart.
"I was on active duty so I didn't have time to do school," said Ross.
Ross joined the military in 2001. She wanted to serve her country and work towards her college degree. However, just months after signing up, the World Trade Center attacks destroyed her chances of a quiet service.
"I was stationed in Germany," Ross said. "I've [also] been deployed to Kuwait and Iraq."
She helped soldiers and civilians as a medic in Iraq. All the while, she tried to be the best parent possible to her now 13-year-old daughter.
"I'm a single parent so it's good that I have good family support who can help out with my daughter for the times that I have to leave," Ross said.
"[We are] very proud of her very proud of her," said Linda Lott, Ross's aunt.
Although battles held up the books for years, Ross finally achieved her dream and completed her journey from deployment to diploma on Saturday.
"It's just amazing to finally get there," said Ross.
Ross plans to continue her education.
Aside from here career in the Department of Defense and working in the reserves, Ross is also a poet. She even has a book of her work published.
