Celestina Travalja realized her dream
The following appeared in today’s Newsday, a daily published in Long Island, New York and a newspaper with one of the largest circulations in the US. John Peter Kraljic, Esq.
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College graduate fulfills ‘biggest dream’
BY OLIVIA WINSLOW
STAFF WRITER
May 24, 2004
Celestina Travalja realized her dream of earning a college degree – a dream that could have easily been derailed two years ago, after she learned she had the incurable degenerative disease of the nervous system commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Travalja pressed on, and confined to a wheelchair because of her illness, graduated with an associate degree in liberal arts from Nassau Community College with honors yesterday surrounded by loved ones who cheered her determination and courage. “She was an inspiration to the whole family,” said Travalja’s eldest daughter, Cindy, of Maspeth, Queens. Travalja’s nephew, Steven Smilovic, 28, of Deer Park, added: “This was her biggest dream. She never gives up.”
Travalja, 52, of Maspeth, Queens, came to the United States in 1968 from what is now Croatia. Five years ago, newly divorced, she said she decided to pursue an education to improve her life and help her two daughters, Cindy, 29, and Christina, 17. She earned her high school equivalency diploma four years ago and enrolled as a part-time student at Nassau Community.
In the last year, as her illness progressed – “I cannot walk on my own; I cannot even stand on my own,” she said – she kept up with her course work through Nassau’s “College of the Air” program, which provided instruction through videotapes and online. She was grateful to one professor in particular, Joe Dowling, for coming to her home to proctor her while she took her exams. “He touched my heart.”
As for her decision to continue studying, Travalja said realizing her dream gives her an enormous sense of accomplishment. “I did it for myself and to show my kids no matter what happens, never give up.”
Copyright Š 2004, Newsday, Inc.