Vance Woman Shows Never Too Old To Learn

A Vance County woman goes to show you that you are never too old to learn.

Johnnie Sanders, 91, admits she is no spring chicken, but she is not too old to use a computer.

"I can develop the hobby that I have. My hobby is writing poetry," she said.

Sanders retired 45 years ago as a teacher, librarian and staffer with the Vance County school system. Back then, technology consisted of a pencil, paper and a manual typewriter.

"Through the years, I have written poetry on several occasions and never saved anything," she said.

At first, she thought about re-entering the first-grade to learn computer skills with the kids. Then, she phoned Vance Granville Community College.

"I asked her, 'did you take old, old, old people,' and I told her how old I am," Sanders said. "She said, 'Yes, we have one in another school that has you by a year.'"

Sanders said she is excited about learning how to communicate using e-mail. There is no age limit in enrolling in continuing education classes at the community college system. A classmate of Sanders is 88, another student enrolled in the class is 82. Nine of the students are 70 years old and older.