2 GENERATIONS OF GRADS MOM, DAUGHTER HIT MILESTONE.

Byline: Naush Boghossian Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA - Though it took Terri Montgomery nearly 25 years to attend college, the wait was worth it as she prepares to graduate with her daughter Wednesday from California State University, Northridge.

Terri, who has lived on her own since 17, supported herself by working at a grocery store. Five years later, she was married with a child and a second on the way.

For years, she tried attending college classes while raising her family, but wasn't able to complete the courses.

``It was too hard with little ones,'' the soft-spoken, 46-year-old mother of two said.

Terri's husband of 12 years was aware of the difficulties of raising a family and attending college. He admires her accomplishment.

``It really showed what she was made of,'' Bruce Montgomery said. ``She's a woman with character and she set a goal for herself and she's accomplished it, and that's quite a feat.''

The extended delay had its benefits because it allowed Terri to focus on her goals - teaching - while becoming a source of support for her sometimes discouraged college-student daughter.

``I think there were times when she was discouraged and she didn't know if she wanted to continue,'' Terri said. ``I said, 'Heather, you have to finish; you have to be with me.'''

Heather, 23, is proud of her mother, though it became a problem when Terri's time became consumed by studies. They couldn't even take classes together because Terri majored in liberal arts and Heather in business.

``She spent a lot of time at school so we didn't have enough mother- daughter time,'' Heather said. ``I missed that.''

Terri, who loves kids, says she will now begin work on her teaching credential - something she has been planning for the past three years.

``To support kids, to encourage them to learn, I think that's important,'' she said.

It's the goal that drove her to succeed in school.

``It wasn't until teaching that I became focused in school. Before, I would take a class here and there, and it was going slow,'' Terri said. ``When I finally decided I could do teaching, when I pictured myself in the classroom, it felt really good to me.''

Heather is considering a job in real estate, though she would eventually like to work in orphanages overseas.

Terri, who will graduate with honors, will cheer when her daughter receives her diploma Wednesday morning and Heather will cheer for her mother that night.

``It's exciting and it'll be fun because all our family will be there or the both of us,'' Heather said.

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Photo:

Heather Yochim, 23, and her mom, Terri Montgomery, 46, will both graduate Wednesday from CSUN.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer