‘Singing is My Ministry’: Why Lucy McIntosh – Class of 2020’s Oldest Grad – Pursued a Music Degree at Crafton Hills College - Crafton Hills College

Publish Date: Aug. 18, 2022

‘Singing is My Ministry’:Why Lucy McIntosh – Class of 2020’s Oldest Grad – Pursued a Music Degree at Crafton Hills College

Crafton Hills College helped Lucy McIntosh find her new voice.

Having been a singer since her early childhood, Loma Linda resident – and the Class of 2022’s oldest graduate – Lucy McIntosh found an opportunity to enhance her craft and earn an associate degree in music by attending CHC.

“Music is a gift,” Mcintosh explained. “I had to understand that we all have gifts and those are God-given. There’s always something we can do, and I try to recognize that in people and tell them that if I am able to do this, they can too.”

McIntosh’s musical background began to unfold as a young child through playing the piano and singing in church choirs. Her love of music continued to build into adulthood, but developing her musical skills was put on hold after pursing a full-time career and experiencing a few additional setbacks along the way, like a stressful relationship and falling ill.

Having made a strong recovery, both physically and mentally, McIntosh decided to pursue her next steps and began to look into educational opportunities at Crafton Hills College. In an effort to reclaim her voice, she enrolled in classes and began her new journey. And while all her classes switched to an online format during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, McIntosh thrived.

“I can’t say enough about the teachers and the students here,” she said. “I don’t consider myself an ‘older student’ because I was not made to feel like I was different; I was one of them.And the environment was great even though we had to go online.”

McIntosh got her chance to showcase her skills in May singing the National Anthem at Crafton’s first in-person commencement ceremony following the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. She plans to transfer to a four-year university to pursue a bachelor’s in music and continue to sing whenever afforded the opportunity.

“I’m a believer. I try to do everything by His will,” she said.“To me, singing is my ministry, and I want to continue to sing in church and share the message.”

As for advice she has for others looking to pursue a higher education at any age, McIntosh follows one familiar ideology: “You’ll probably come to a point in life where school is something that you come to love,” she said.“And if you’re at the same point where I was-- just do it!”