Meet the Mom/Daughter Duo of Crafton Hills College’s Class of 2022
Publish Date: Aug. 18, 2022
As Adeline Swedlove was preparing to graduate from Crafton Hills College this year, the 20-year-old Roadrunner knew she wanted friends and family to be there cheering her on. But what made the day extra special: sharing the moment with mom, Jeanette, also graduating.
On May 25th, the two Highland women were among the sea of graduates recognized during the first in-person commencement ceremony at the Yucaipa-based college since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the two walked different paths that led them to Crafton, celebrating this special milestone side-by-side was just the cherry on top of a really big sundae.
“I didn’t want to take the importance of the day away from her, but she was the one who pushed the issue,” Jeanette said.
Added Adeline, “In all honesty, my mom pushed me harder to succeed because if she could do it, there’s no reason why I couldn’t be doing well in my classes.”
Jeanette Swedlove originally had plans to graduate from college decades ago, but learning with ADHD was always a struggle for the now 50-year-old. A chance meeting with the staff of CHC’s Student Disabilities
Department gave Jeanette the confidence to make her goals a reality, focusing her efforts on social science this time instead of pursuing a degree in teaching or nursing. Another unforeseen benefit, which helped Jeanette overcome her ADHD, was having classes go online, giving her the opportunity to watch lectures and other source materials over and over again until they clicked.
“They told me to ‘go for it’ and to ‘give it a try and see what happens,’ and so I did,” she said with a smile.“I wanted to be a role model for my kids and the (children with disabilities) I work with at Cope Middle School. I wanted to let them know that not everyone is the same and that we all learn differently.”
For daughter Adeline, going to Crafton was always in the cards. Having been accepted into CHC’s Promise Program – a two-year program that covered expenses associated with college and other benefits – the young woman originally wanted to become a vet tech but explained that Crafton gave her the opportunity she needed to realize early childhood development was more her speed.
“I love going here. This was a huge steppingstone for me. And the nice thing about going to Crafton is there’s opportunity to take so many different classes. I needed that,” Adeline said, adding later, “At 17 and being accepted at Crafton and knowing I can make it through 2020 and this and this and this and then being handed this reward, it is what worked for me. And it’s inspiring and so freaking cool that my mom graduated with me and is doing it in her 50s.”
“It also pays to have hipster parents,” Jeanette said with a wink.
What’s next for the duo – transferring to Cal State San Bernardino in the fall to continue learning in their respective fields. And Adeline’s dad, too, is getting in on the action by taking a few classes of his own, including Spanish, both women explained.
In the future, Jeanette wants to return to her Crafton roots and inspire others with disabilities and of a certain age to go back to school because learning is a way to “open many doors.”
“Crafton guarantees success because even if you haven’t graduated in two years, you’ll find out what you are capable of doing,” she continued.
“For me, not having the stress about applying and going to a four-year university when there’s a wonderful, great community college in our neighborhood worked for me. Crafton will help you every single step of the way,” concluded Adeline.
