Twins Don't Think Twice About Importance of Community College

07/2/09

ULLIN - Coraviece Terry and her identical twin sister, Claudeliah, don't have to think twice about the importance of community colleges. As the two remained inseparable through high school, the Meridian natives took escrow classes at Shawnee Community College, agreeing that the courses they took provided them with a strong educational foundation as they entered Southern Illinois University in 1998.

"I would encourage anyone who can to take advantage of college classes long before they graduate high school," Coraviece said. "This gave my sister and I a great deal of confidence and an understanding of what we would face at the university."

Coraviece graduated from SIU with a bachelor's degree in biological science. Her sister excelled at engineering. Today, Claudeliah works for the Tybrin Corporation as a flight systems engineer at the NASA Dryden Flight Research Center in California. In the meanwhile, Coraviece, who remained close to home, has returned to Shawnee Community College to pursue her dream.

An inner calling to become a nurse was something Coraviece could no longer ignore. She is now enrolled in the college's nursing program at age 29.

"I have a heart for compassion and nurturing that is compelling me to the healthcare field," Coraviece said. "My goal is to become a physician's assistant."

Coraviece said she chose Shawnee Community College because of its reputation for having one of the best nursing programs in the state. The nursing program has boasted a 100 percent licensure pass rate for practical nursing students three years running.

"Having a community college nearby with such a great nursing program is a great blessing," Coraviece said. "

Coraviece is eight minutes older than her sister. Claudeliah - though second at birth - squeaked past Coraviece by a very small margin to be their high school class valedictorian.

And while both sisters are clearly very intelligent, Coraviece claims her sister is a "genius." Claudeliah too praises her sister for making a very smart move.

"Anyone who pursues their dream must be commended," Claudeliah said. "That's exactly what my sister is doing."

Coraviece said she is happy with her decision to return to Shawnee Community College and said, "I feel very good about my future."

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