Despite being a single mom to a teenager and 8-year-old triplets, as well as running her own interior and exterior paint company, April Amirault-Doherty of Merrimac found the time and energy to go to college.
Taking advantage of day, evening, and online courses at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, this first-generation college student earned a 3.75 grade-point average and was on the dean's list.
Amirault-Doherty will graduate from Northern Essex Saturday with dual associate degrees in general studies and paralegal studies, and represents the class of 2008 as student speaker at the commencement ceremonies.
Amirault-Doherty was also one of four college students - and one of two from a state community college - to receive a $500 scholarship from Massachusetts Women in Public Higher Education. The scholarship is given to female college students who have overcome adversity to pursue higher education.
In the fall, Amirault-Doherty will attend Franklin Pierce University in Rindge, N.H. She hopes to go on to law school and eventually work for social justice.
The featured speaker at the commencement ceremonies, during which almost 1,000 graduates will receive associate degrees or certificates, is Meredith Hall, author of the memoir "Without A Map." Hall teaches writing at the University of New Hampshire.
Commencement begins at 11 a.m. under a tent on the quadrangle of the Haverhill campus.
WENDY KILLEEN
