80-year-old West Salem man gets diploma

WEST SALEM, Ohio - It took 61 years, but a West Salem man has proven you're never to old to achieve your dream. Virtle Smith, who turns 80 on Saturday, recently passed the GED test and received an Ohio High School Equivalence Diploma.

"This is probably one of the most important periods of my life," he said, "because it gives me the well-being and peace of mind that I was able to do it."

Smith said he didn't graduate with his high school class in Creston 61 years ago, because he didn't pass bookkeeping. He had a job that kept him working so much that he didn't have time to do his homework.

Despite not having a high school diploma, Virtle Smith has had a successful life. He owned a barber shop in Akron for many years, then decided to become a truck driver. He also had an insurance license and spent two years in the Marines during the Korean Conflict. He and his wife have three children, 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and one on the way.

"Virtle was the most determined student I've ever had," his math tutor, Jeff Vogel, said. "I basically just opened the door and he ran through it."

Vogel was matched with Smith through Project Learn of Medina County, which provides free tutoring for adults who want to prepare for the GED test, learn to read, improve math skills or learn English as a second language.

Smith believes anyone can do what he did if they have the desire.

"I hope they're a lot younger than I am," he said.

Next June, Smith will participate in the GED commencement ceremony at the Medina County Career Center, where his daughter-in-law, Mona, is a GED teacher.

"Anyone can do it if they have the desire," Smith said. "I hope they're a lot younger than I am."