GINA B. GOOD / PVT Thelma Sherman, center is surrounded by well-wishers who rose during a recent school board meeting to honor her graduation from the adult education program. Pathways Innovative Education Principal Max Buffi, left, and Vice Principal Susan Zinc stand next to the new grad. Advertisement

It took Thelma Sherman more than three years to graduate from the Nye County School District's adult education program, but at age 70, it was, she said, "Just something I wanted to do." Sherman spoke at the Feb. 26, school district board of trustees meeting.

Her path to success threw her a few curves and isosceles triangles along the way, but she mastered her math proficiency test after taking it nine times.

"Thelma just didn't give up," said Max Buffi, principal of Pathways Innovative Education and Pahrump Valley High School. "She's already inspired more than one student," he said. "A few days after Thelma passed the test, another student came up to me and told me she wanted to study to pass the math proficiency test."

Members of her family also attended the meeting to take part in acknowledging her achievements.