PEA RIDGE — Her first experience in a classroom was in college, but she excelled and was the one student selected to deliver the graduation speech at Crowder College in Neosho, Mo.
Rachael Caylie Booyer, 20, the youngest of Rick and Carisa Booyer’s two daughters, graduated summa cum laude, one of three graduates with a 4.0 in a class of 435 graduates for 2012.
The Booyers live in Rocky Comfort, Mo. Rick is the pastor of Twelve Corners Baptist Church.
“I was educated at home by Mom until the middle of high school years and then Dad finished me out. He helped at night after work,” Rachael said.
“I learn best if I can read it to myself, but I have to copy it down,” she said, noting that hermother recognized that she needed to keep her hands busy and either copy or doodle.
When 17, Rachael began taking dual credit classes from Crowder College in math and English.
“I was surprised how well I did because I’d never been inside a school before,” she said. “I was so nervous.”
Rachael had worked at Hands On Chiropractic during her teen-age years, something she said helped prepare her for college. And, she said she was very involved in the church where her father pastors.
The top 10 graduating seniors academically were evaluated by the faculty and three were selected to prepare speeches. Those speeches were reviewed by the faculty. “Mine was voted on 9/10,” Rachael said. “I worked hardon it over about a month span. I worked on it every single night until I had it perfect.”
When she started attending Crowder, Rachael said there were some people, both students and teachers, who expected her to be either lazy or unsocialized.
“I think I really have won over approval of all the teachers. When I graduated, I received a bunch of letters with recommendations for jobs.”
Rachael has been accepted at the University of Arkansas, where she will begin July 2, planning to major in marketing and minoring in management.
“I would not have it any other way,” she said of homeschooling. “It made me who I am. I learned what my learning style was. I learned to be alone. I believe that helped me.
I’mself motivated now. I never turned anything in late. I learned not to procrastinate.”
Rachael’s speech began with a quote by Albert Camus: “Life is the sum of all your choices,” and closed with a quote by Dr.
Seuss: “You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your way. And you know what you know, and you are the one who’ll decide where to go…. Things may happen and often they do to people as brainy and footsy as you… Onward up many a frightening creek, though your arms may get sore and your sneakers may leak… And you will succeed? Yes, you will indeed! … You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting! So get on your way !”
News, Pages 1 on 06/13/2012