While beginning college coursework at the age of 42 might seem daunting to some people, for Alison Henslee, enrolling at the NIC Bonners Ferry Center has been a challenging but rewarding experience.

Not that Alison has ever shied away from challenges. This dynamo of a lady is proof that "you CAN teach an 'old' dog new tricks."

Moving with her family to Boundary County at the age of five years old, Alison lived near Herman Lake for two years before moving to Paradise Valley where she spent the rest of her childhood. She was enrolled in public school until eighth grade when her mother decided to home school her for her final year of formal education.
Alison's mother was passionate about insisting that her children read voraciously during their childhoods, and this love for reading and independent learning may be one of the factors that lead Alison to pursue her GED at the age of 27, after she had been married and had her two children.

Ironically - or perhaps fittingly - Alison's mother is now the Head Librarian at the Boundary County Library, Sandy Ashworth.

Over the years, Alison held many jobs in the county including waitressing, working at the theater, teaching kindergarten, running an insurance office and working as a church secretary. Currently, Alison is the administrative assistant at Echo Springs Transition Study Center.

Three years ago, Alison took a huge leap of faith and enrolled at the NIC Bonners Ferry Center at the age of 42. "I hadn't been in school since 1978," Alison laughed. "That first semester, I worked three jobs, took two classes and still had a child in high school."

Alison plans to take two classes a semester until she completes the requirements for her Associate's degree in social work.

"It's really do-able," she said. "You have to make the commitment, but it can be done. My advice is to start small. Even if you work full time, you can handle two classes. I take online classes now, which makes it easier on my schedule. You do have to be motivated, but basically, it's never too late to go to college."

Alison laughingly commented that when she talks to her 19 year old son, Wyatt, who lives in Sidney, MT, he says, "Mom, is your homework done?" If she says "no," he replies with, "Go to your room and do your homework!"

Alison credits the opening of the NIC Bonners Ferry Center as the impetus that helped her decide to go to college.

"I saw that the Center was opening, so I called them up and asked what I had to do. They told me that I had to take the COMPASS test, so I went to Sandpoint and took it. It wasn't hard. The ladies in the Bonners Ferry Center deserve a lot of credit by helping with each step of the process."

Alison said that she is very grateful for the public education teachers she had here in Boundary County. Recently, she took a history class and still remembered things that Mr. Kent had taught her in seventh grade. Her mother has also been a tremendous role model for Alison. She commented that her mother has gone so far with her life that she is a constant inspiration to her daughter. She also emphasized that her children have been totally supportive, encouraging her during tests, applauding good grades and have been her number one fans. Why does Alison choose to push herself and attempt something that most adults wouldn't try?

"For me, I don't want to have any regrets," she said seriously. "I don't want to look back at my life and say "I wish I would have done that." For me, college has shown me so many things that are out in the world that I didn't know about. It has inspired me to help create something. No matter what age you are, with financial aid and scholarships available, people should explore all their options. I didn't think I would qualify for a grant but I did. We are so blessed to have the NIC Center here. You don't have to move to Coeur d'Alene and give up your life to go to school. My girlfriend got her nursing degree through NIC and she even took P.E. classes online. Don't be afraid to go to college. The more you learn and the more you continue to learn, the longer you live."