ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, May 11, 1996 TAG: 9605130064
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SANDRA BROWN KELLY STAFF WRITER
THEY WERE CLASSMATES at the College of Health Sciences in the physical therapist assistant program.
Mary Anna Page insists she and her son, Derick Wayne, never discussed grades while they were classmates at the College of Health Sciences.
"But we're both graduating with honors," she said before the two of them picked up associate degrees during ceremonies Friday night at the Roanoke Civic Center Coliseum. Both graduated as physical therapist assistants.
With appropriate motherly humility, Page, 45, didn't mention that she finished summa cum laude and Derick was magna cum laude.
Derick, who's 21, told that.
"But I don't mind too much," he said. "I tried to focus on having a social life, too."
Mary Anna Page, a native of Narrows and a licensed practical nurse, had been out of school since 1970, when two years ago she got a chance to go back. The Veterans Affairs Medical Center, where she worked as a technician in physical therapy, awarded her an "upward mobility" scholarship so she could get a degree.
About the same time, Derick smashed his ankle skateboarding and had to take physical therapy. He liked it so much he decided that was what he wanted to do. He had graduated from Northside High School in 1992 and was taking courses at Virginia Western Community College.
While still on crutches, he volunteered in physical therapy at the VA and at the North Roanoke Physical Therapy Clinic.
Mother and son became full-time students in August 1994, but kept a professional distance, often sitting on opposite sides of the classroom. They were lab partners only once.
"He told me I was too uptight," she said.
Next week, Mary Anna Page returns to work at the VA. Derick has one job offer and is waiting to hear on two others.
The 13-year-old college graduated its largest class, handing out 154 associate in science degrees in emergency health sciences-paramedic, health information management, nursing, occupational therapy assistant, physical therapist assistant and respiratory care. Professional certificates were awarded to 19 students in health services management and phlebotomy technician courses.
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