Margaret Wasylycia is the definition of a life-long learner, proving that – even after 40 years out of school – it’s never too late to start something new. At age 58, she faced a long and difficult recovery from a stroke. Through her recovery, the mother of three and former retail manager from St. Catharines vowed to chart a new path to make a difference in the lives of others.
“A year passed and I was feeling the need to do something with my life that would help others,” said Wasylycia. Considering a second career, she browsed the Niagara College website. “The program name ‘Recreation Therapy’ jumped out at me. I knew in my heart that was it – that’s my platform to make a difference.”
On the morning of June 18, Wasylycia crossed the convocation stage, in the presence of her mother and father, husband and eldest daughter, as the first in her family to graduate from post-secondary. The ceremony saw more than 300 graduates from the School of Community Services and the School of Allied Health accept their diplomas and certificates and become NC alumni.
“I was overcome with emotions thinking about going to college at my age,” she said. “Could I do it?”
Once classes started in Niagara College’s Recreation Therapy program, Wasylycia says she knew it was the perfect fit. “I related closely to so many topics that we learned, and I worked very hard. It was my opportunity to absorb everything that the courses had to offer.”
“Margaret is an incredible woman with a powerful NC story,” said Christine Wilkinson, professor and program coordinator of the Recreation Therapy program. “She overcame great challenges prior to entering our program and she fully embraced her NC experience. From day one, even though she was nervous to embark on this new chapter in her life, she was motivated, positive, and seized all the opportunities the program offered. Her classmates were fortunate to study alongside Margaret. Our team is incredibly proud of her accomplishments.”
Prior to her convocation ceremony, Wasylycia was awarded the Jonathan Morrison Memorial Award. Morrison was a student in the Recreation Therapy program who had spina bifida and played for the Niagara Penguins. After he died from cancer in July 2015, the College’s Recreation Therapy department launched a $500 award in his honour. The award is granted to a graduating student in the Recreation Therapy program who has overcome significant barriers in order to graduate.
During the program, Wasylycia did her student placement at Henley House, a long-term care facility in St. Catharines, after which she was hired in a casual position working with patients with Alzheimer’s. “I was flattered that they hired me after my placement. It doesn’t feel like work. I feel grateful to be employed helping others,” she said.
“The program felt like being part of a family, and the journey has changed my life forever. I am so happy that I allowed myself to be challenged at my age,” she said.” Her advice to other mature students considering college? “Anything is possible, you just need to try. Failure only comes when you don’t open the door.”
Wasylycia’s zest for lifelong learning is unstoppable. She hopes to continue her education in university in the near future.
