Estelle Rees Arroyo - with Susan Andrews

Completing her novel, visiting Gettysburg, and working with veterans are among her plans, now that Estelle Rees Arroyo has received her degree in History from California State University, Sacramento. Writing, traveling and job-hunting: not unusual pursuits for a new college graduate. Except when you consider that Estelle Rees Arroyo is 92 years old.

Sacramento State’s oldest graduate, Estelle was inspired to return to school because she was “watching too much TV”, and she didn’t want her brain to get “moldy”. Her sharp personal recollections and first hand experiences enriched the discussion in her History classes. Nobody else on campus could claim to have a grandfather who fought in the Civil War!

At first, the Grass Valley resident drove the 130 miles to and from school. When she tired of the commute, she stayed in a nearby motel where, she said, “some of the people appeared to be renting by the hour”.

Was she scared? Estelle says no. She was more afraid of television’s effects on her mind, than of any physical danger she might have faced staying alone downtown, as a college student, at the age of 92.

As for other seniors who may be considering a return to the halls of academia, Estelle would enthusiastically pass along the advice her son gave her; "Go for it!"