"I planted a dream in my children, and saved a small part of that dream for me."
Nina Huddleston, planter of dreams, is realizing her own small part this month when she graduates from Arkansas State University Mountain Home with an associate of arts degree.
As winner of the university's faculty-elected Outstanding Academic Achiever Award, she will also deliver the student address at graduation.
She's 53.
"The reason Nina is the perfect graduation speaker is that she has taken advantage of every opportunity available to her at ASUMH," said business teacher Karen Heslep. "She has friends in every age group who respect her and call her their friend. She's gotten involved. She helps people. She cares."
When the youngest of Huddleston's three children left home for college, it was her turn.
She signed up for one class after another, and earned her associate of applied sciences degree in business management.
"It helped with empty nest syndrome," Huddleston said, "but I wasn't finished learning. I came back to get my associate of arts."
Her first semester back, Huddleston earned an A in the three classes she took. She signed up for second semester and earned A's again.
"They invited me to join Phi Beta Kappa honor society," Huddleston said, "and then Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), the largest national student organization."
"Nina is a good example of someone who comes back and does it all," Heslep said. "She's experienced things you wish every student would."
Huddleston won first place in a national PBL competition in Anaheim, Calif. last year. In July, she'll compete again in Nashville.
"To come in first in the whole nation was a neat experience," Huddleston said. "People often congratulated me and said it was nice to see a non-traditional student do so well."
Huddleston says she always knew she could be an inspiration to her kids, but she didn't realize she could inspire others as well until classmates started confiding in her.
"When I realized I've got the ability and the power to influence people positively, I jumped on it," she said.
Huddleston says she started encouraging fellow students to make it through one class at a time, through one test at a time.
She got encouragement herself from ASUMH faculty and her husband, Dan.
"My husband was so supportive. He's suffered quick meals and a lot of study time."
Are there classes in Huddleston's future?
"There are still some classes I want to take," Huddleston said, smiling.
