CAPPING THE SCHOOL YEAR; GRADUATION A FAMILY AFFAIR.Byline: Karen Maeshiro Daily News Staff Writer Antelope Valley This article is about the Los Angeles County region. For the census-designated place in Wyoming, see Antelope Valley-Crestview, Wyoming. The Antelope Valley College's graduation program listed the name of Barbara Lee Barbara Jean Lee (born July 16 1946), American politician, has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1998, representing California's 9th congressional district (map) and is the first woman to represent that district. Otte twice, and it was not a typo typo - typographical error . Otte, a 46-year-old resident of Rosamond, and her 16-year-old daughter, who has the same name, graduated together Saturday, both receiving their associate in arts degrees in education. ``She helped me get the kids to bed, and we studied together when it was quiet,'' said the elder Otte, mother to eight children, ages 24 to 8. ``She does have better habits. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have made it through sign language class.'' The younger Otte, a junior on independent study in the Southern Kern Unified School District A unified school district is a school district which includes both primary school (kindergarten through middle school or junior high) and high school (grades 9-12). In Illinois, these districts are called unit school districts. , achieved the unusual distinction of earning an associate degree before she obtains a high school diploma A high school diploma is a diploma awarded for the completion of high school. In the United States and Canada, it is considered the minimum education required for government jobs and higher education. An equivalent is the GED. . ``It was pretty good. I liked it,'' said the younger Otte. ``The best part was probably being able to spend more time with my mom.'' Mom, who graduated with high honors, has worked as an instructional assistant at the Challenger Memorial Youth Center, a juvenile detention facility in Lancaster, for two years. She wants to become a teacher there. Daughter Barbara said she wants to teach deaf children, inspired after volunteering in an elementary school elementary school: see school. class taught by her college sign language instructor. ``I decided I would go because I love being with children. When I went there, I felt like I was supposed to be there. It brought joy. I could feel that's what I wanted to do in life,'' she said. The joint mother-daughter college venture began four years ago when the elder Otte decided to continue her education. She wasn't working at the time. ``I have a lot of kids, and I'm pretty much unemployable un·em·ploy·a·ble adj. Not able to find or hold a job: unemployable people. un . I felt I didn't have anything to offer. I was just a domestic engineer,'' said the elder Otte, whose husband, Richard, is a Southern California Edison Southern California Edison (or SCE Corp), the largest subsidiary of Edison International (NYSE: EIX), is the primary electricity supply company for much of Southern California. It provides 11 million people with electricity. power plant operator at Plant 42. ``Nowadays, you need two incomes to survive decently.'' Daughter Barbara, 12 at the time, asked if she could take a class with mom. Mom describes her second-oldest daughter as a normal but very mature girl. At age 5 she helped change the diapers of her six younger siblings. ``She thought she would be a big shot and show off to everyone,'' the elder Otte said. ``She said, `I wish I could go to college,' and I said, you can. I didn't think it would last long. I just wanted her to see what it was like in a big person's world, that big people go to school like little people.'' The younger Otte's memory is hazy as to her motivation for going to an institution of higher education higher education Study beyond the level of secondary education. Institutions of higher education include not only colleges and universities but also professional schools in such fields as law, theology, medicine, business, music, and art. . ``I just remember I just started going with her. I guess I asked if I could go. I probably wanted to be with her,'' she said. After mother and daughter enrolled in a guidance class together, the younger Otte wanted more. ``She was all excited. She had a transcript, she had three credits, and she wanted to take two more,'' mom said. The following semester, mom starting taking a full load. The teen-age Otte enrolled in a political science class with her dad, and an elementary algebra class with mom and dad. When mother and daughter were together in class, teachers would get confused reading the attendance list. The younger Otte at first took evening classes, then switched to being a full-time student Full-Time Student A status that is important for determining dependency exemptions. An individual enrolled in a post-secondary institution may be eligible for certain tax breaks. Notes: The full-time status is based on what the individual's school considers full time. at the college after going into independent study. She holds two jobs at the college, one tutoring people in sign language and the other translating for deaf students in class. ``I just stuck at it and just forced myself to do it,'' Barbara said of going to high school and college at the same time. Mom said the college experience has strengthened the mother-daughter bond. ``We really grew close. We are really good friends. Not just mother and daughter - friends,'' said the elder Otte. CAPTION(S): 3 Photos PHOTO (1--Color) Antelope Valley College Antelope Valley College is a comprehensive community college located in Lancaster, California, USA. It is operated by the Antelope Valley Community College District, with a primary service area of 1,945 square miles covering portions of Los Angeles and Kern counties. President Linda Spink and student body President Kristy Spratt lead the graduation procession Saturday. (2--Color) Barbara Lee Otte, 16, left, and her mom, also Barbara Lee Otte, graduated together from Antelope Valley College on Saturday. (3--Color) Above, Gilbert Gallegos, president of the National Fraternal Order of Police The Fraternal Order of Police is a US-based organization of sworn law enforcement officers. It is the world's largest organization of rank and file sworn officers, with over 2100 local lodges and over 325,000 members. , addresses the graduates. Jeff Goldwater/Daily News |
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