Southern WV Community and Technical College is proud to celebrate the inspiring journey of recent graduate Trista Petroff, who proves that it is never too late to pursue your dreams.
At 42 years old, Petroff recently earned her Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College. Her journey back to the classroom was fueled by family, determination, and a desire to inspire others.
“My name is Trista Petroff. I recently graduated from Southern WV Community and Technical College with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science and I am 42 years old,” Petroff shared.
Petroff said several personal reasons motivated her to return to school after many years away from higher education.
“I wanted my son to be proud of me. I wanted him to know you could do whatever you want at whatever age,” she said. “My mom recently died about a year ago. She always wanted me to go back. I started when I was 18. I thought this would have made her proud of me.”
She also credits her father and husband for encouraging and supporting her throughout the process.
“My dad was another reason. He is a big support system for me. I don’t want him to have to worry. Then my husband encouraged me to go back as well,” Petroff said.
Returning to school presented challenges, especially adapting to modern technology and online learning.
“It was like I had to do a whole new brain restart,” Petroff explained. “I work at Hugh Dingess Elementary right now, so I was used to doing things but not as far as a classroom setting. It was hard, it really was.”
“I am not a very technically inclined person. I had to learn all of that. I had to learn to do everything online. It is hard for an older person to remember everything you have to remember. So I had to kickstart my brain again.”
Despite those challenges, Petroff persevered and now hopes her story will inspire others who may be considering returning to school later in life.
“Go back. It’s worth it,” she said. “You’ll be proud of yourself, your family will be proud of you. You will accomplish what you want to accomplish. It’s hard but it’s worth it.”
Petroff currently works with children at Hugh Dingess Elementary and says seeing students learn motivates her every day.
“My job that I have right now lets me be around the kids a lot at our school and I love to watch the lightbulb. I love to watch them learn and get it,” she said.
She believes setting an example for her 13-year-old son was one of the most important parts of her educational journey.
“Family is very important. If you are not going to do it for yourself, do it for your kids,” Petroff said. “Let your kids see you succeed and try. If they see you doing it, they are going to do it. That was one of my goals for myself and my 13-year-old son. I really wanted him to see that you can do anything no matter what age. I wanted him to be proud of me.”
Southern WV Community and Technical College congratulates Trista Petroff on this outstanding accomplishment and celebrates the determination and perseverance she demonstrated throughout her educational journey.