I went from being a single, full-time working mother, to getting married, becoming pregnant with twins... and then continued where I left off successfully completing the ECE program.”

Annie, Valedictorian 2020

Annie dreamed for years of becoming an Early Childhood Educator (ECE)

When a friend studying at Algonquin College told her about the college’s online program options, Annie heard a voice inside her head saying, ‘Annie, you can do anything you set your mind to,’ and began investigating.

With the love and support of her family, the 37-year-old mother of four and childhood cancer survivor enrolled at Algonquin College, and recently celebrated earning her ECE diploma and delivered the first-ever AC Online valedictorian address:

“These past two and a half years have been among the most challenging, exciting, emotional, and blessed times of my life,” said Sprouls. “I went from being a single, full-time working mother, to getting married, becoming pregnant with twins… which postponed my work and studies for a while… and then continued where I left off successfully completing the ECE program.

Ten years ago, I would have never imagined being a college graduate. Through those years, I watched many of my friends graduate from college to be Early Childhood Educators. I hope my story leaves some inspiring footsteps for other women to follow their passions, get that diploma and bring that dream to life.”