THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 21, 1996 TAG: 9606190134
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: THUMBS UP
SOURCE: BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 103 lines
It took some ups and downs, lots of faith and a family's love.
But nearly three decades after leaving high school to raise her family, Cynthia G. Benson of Chesapeake came forward as her name rang through Green Run High School's auditorium June 8.
Clad in a blue graduation gown, the 43-year-old mother of four approached a table stacked with high school diplomas.
One of them was hers.
``It was a special day,'' she said.
In 1969, at the age of 15, Cynthia became pregnant with daughter Wanda.
Cynthia's father, Vernon L. Gordon, now 59, was a family-centered man who worked his way up to the sheriff's office from a job as custodian at the City Jail. Her mother Catherine ``instilled the right principles'' in the five children in their family.
Recalled Cynthia, ``She did that according to the Bible.''
It was a difficult time for a religious family.
``They were hurt, like any parents would be,'' said Cynthia. ``Our parents thought it was the right thing if you got a girl pregnant that you marry her.''
Cynthia married the baby's father, Lawrence Benson, in the Gordons' living room, then moved in with Lawrence's mother. Cynthia took care of the baby while her young husband worked.
Cynthia had wanted to finish high school. Her own parents had left high school behind, but believed in education. Vernon Gordon went back for his diploma, then got an associate's degree. Catherine went back for her GED.
But Cynthia said the importance of school paled in comparison with caring for her family, which was growing. Michelle came along two years after Wanda.
``When you think you're in love you want to spend the rest of your life with the person you're married to,'' said Cynthia. ``But as I got older, I wanted to venture out.''
Seven years and two children into their marriage, the Bensons separated.
Cynthia made her first attempt to attain her GED. She said at the time she was ``too young and wild.'' She wasn't able to earn her equivalency diploma, but her family got back together.
``We wanted to do the right thing by the children and get back together,'' said Cynthia.
They worked at it, and worked hard. Both took jobs as custodians. Lawrence took a second job. They lived in Norfolk a while, then returned to Chesapeake. Their family grew in those years, first with LaToya, now 17, and then with Shante, now 8.
They believed in God, and became active at the Jesus Church of Deliverance on James Lane, where Cynthia's mother is an elder.
A year before Shante's birth Wanda, then a senior in high school, became pregnant. Wanda, said her mother, wanted a future for her child. She wanted to continue her education.
``We gave up a family car so she could go to an alternative school,'' said Cynthia.
Wanda excelled. She graduated from high school, then Norfolk State University.
``Now she's single and 26,'' said her mother proudly. ``She's buying her own house in Georgetown (in Chesapeake), and she's enrolled in a master's degree program at Old Dominion University.''
She is not the only Benson woman to find success in school.
Michelle holds a master's degree from Regent University in Virginia Beach. LaToya, at 17, graduated from Indian River High School as an honor graduate on June 13 and will attend cosmetology school in North Carolina.
Three years ago, the urge to complete her high school diploma returned for Cynthia.
Her first attempt failed.
``I was in a class with people who had dropped out at all levels,'' she said. ``It was hard for me because teachers were trying to help every person.''
Lacking focus, she quit again.
But a principal at the school where she worked as a custodian told her about a program for adults in Virginia Beach called ``Open Campus.''
``It was more one-on-one,'' she said. ``It proved to work for me.''
Lawrence, himself working two jobs, kicked in on the household chores.
``My husband was very lenient on my cooking,'' said Cynthia. ``He's a good man, a provider from the heart, and he loves his children.''
``I was just in the background,'' said Lawrence. ``She'd have all the kids and help them do their homework. Then I'd be asleep at 2, 3 in the morning and she'd be up doing her homework.''
Soon Cynthia Benson found herself wearing a blue gown with her diploma in hand, her family watching from the top of Green Run's bleachers.
``She could have pursued this a long time ago,'' said Michelle. ``But she attended to us. She made a lot of sacrifices.''
Michelle said she hopes the diploma will lead to other things for Cynthia: ``I don't want to see my mom pushing a broom for the rest of her life.''
Wanda said, ``It was just great seeing her walk across that floor after 27 years and get that diploma.''
``I choked up with tears,'' said Lawrence, ``We all stood up and cheered like Green Run had scored the winning basket.''
Three days after her graduation, Cynthia Benson decided her education wasn't over. She signed up for college classes.
Intro to Psychology will be her first.
That Thursday the Benson family gathered again for LaToya's graduation.
On Saturday they gathered in the Bensons' living room, the centerpiece of their Clemson Avenue home, where gospel music played from the television.
Sitting on their couch moments after his daughters had cleared out of the room, Lawrence Benson said, ``It's been exciting having three graduates in the past few months.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Cynthia G. Benson is a 43-year-old mother of four. by CNB