(see related)
The students sitting the first part
of their 'maturità' high-school finals in the San Francesco di
Sales school in the town of Città di Castello, near Perugia, on
Wednesday included 90-year-old Imelda Starnini.
The woman, who turned 90 on February 3, took her place at her
desk to sit the first part of the exam, an Italian written test,
among a group of young people a fraction of her age.
She is sitting the exam to obtain a pedagogical diploma which,
in theory at least, also qualifies her to be an
elementary-school teacher.
"You don't achieve anything in life without sacrifice and, at my
age, I decided to put myself to the test and tackle this exam,"
Starnini said.
"It's a goal that I always had but, for various reasons
regarding family and work, it got away from me.
"Now I'm here to start this series of tests, thanks to the help
of my family, which I hope will lead to me obtaining the
diploma.
"I embrace all these beautiful young people who are here with me
today and all those all over Italy who are ready to overcome the
obstacles of the exam.
"Study, knowledge and the desire to learn are ageless and I am
proof of that".
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