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Student has double graduation; Continues studies at Morehouse College

By Naji Tobias, The Sun

David Wallace, joined by Palm Beach Community College Provost Dr. Beverly Robinson, left, and his mother, Samantha Wallace, received his high school diploma and a college degree simultaneously.INI/Naji Tobias

BELLE GLADE — David Wallace graduated from college on May 18. He graduated from high school 10 days later.

Mr. Wallace, joining other Glades Central students who also accomplished the strange feat, had enrolled in a dual course program at the high school and at Palm Beach Community College.

Mr. Wallace gladly accepted an Associate of Arts degree from Palm Beach Community College before he ever had a chance to look at his high school diploma.

He had been working at this since his sophomore year of high school.

Mr. Wallace has moved on to Morehouse College in Atlanta, as of Aug. 13. He will be majoring in Biology and his ultimate goal is to become a pediatrician treating children in third-world countries.

Mr. Wallace said he would like to explore South America to learn about its heritage and culture. That way, he would be as effective as possible in bringing hope to the children of South America.

“I know I have a passion to work with kids,” he said. “Giving them my undivided attention, as well as medical care, will ultimately benefit them in the future and by doing that, I could say that I have accomplished my goal in life.”

But, at this point in his life, Mr. Wallace credits his family n namely his mother, Samantha Wallace and grandmother, Mildred Torrence n for his success.

In March 2006, Ms. Torrence suffered a severe stroke and was told that she had a month to live, according to David’s mother. Ms. Torrence was told by doctors, after being diagnosed, that she would remain in a comatose state, which means that her brain would have very little activity -- no movement.

But in August of that year, Ms. Torrence began speaking.

Mr. Wallace recalls what his grandmother told him on that fateful day.

“My grandmother told me to make her proud when she was able to speak again,” said Mr. Wallace. Ms. Torrence would only live until September.

Since then however, Mr. Wallace was determined to earn his high school diploma and associate’s degree.

“Before my mother passed,” said Mrs. Wallace, “David committed to her that he would graduate from Palm Beach Community College and I strongly felt that it was his grandmother’s dying wish. He made that happen.”

Right now, Mr. Wallace is in the pre-planning stages with PBCC officials to map out a plan to attend medical school, after he graduates from Morehouse College.

A National Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society student, Mr. Wallace is looking forward to earning his degree.

“I am truly proud of David and all of his accomplishments,” said Ms. Wallace. “I constantly tell him that great things are expected of great people and as long as he has a spiritual connection with God, then his achievements are limitless. There’s nothing he won’t be able to do.”

This was reposted from newszap.com