The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

THE CANADIAN STATESMAN, MAY 8,2002 PAGE A9 REG.-PRICED JESSICA AND JESSICA PETITES SEPARATES Excludes Wardrobe Essentials brand and "More Value' items with prices ending In ,97 ALL WOMEN'S REG.-PRICED TAN JAY®, Alfred Dunner®, Alia and Alia Sport FASHIONS Also available in specially sizes ALL WOMEN'S REG.-PRICED Nygârd Collection, Louden II®, PIERRE CARDIN® AND EMMA JAMES® FASHIONS Concepts by Conrad C, Inlluence by Steilman and Jones Studio» brands also available In selected stores V ' "! %< -t<£ REG.-PRICED JESSICA® PLUS SEPARATES Excludes Wardrobe Essentials! 1 brand and 'More Value' items with prices ending in .97 ALL REG.-PRICED DRESSES AND PANTSUITS 49.99 S OVER In Regular, Petite and Plus sizes from our Dress Shop. Selection varies by store Determined single mom saluted for success Dr. John Balenko 0623-7412 Mary Lou Hickling overcomes odds to earn university degree BY NATALIE MILLER Staff Writer CLARINGTON - When a Bow- manvillc woman set her mind on something, something, she let nothing get in her way. Neither a divorce and single motherhood motherhood nor a debilitating illness filling her body with pain could stop her from reaching her goal. The woman, initially i short three Grade 12 credits, will collect her university degree this month. Mary Lou Hickling also accepted a Women's Opportunity Award recently recognizing her accomplishment of earning a university degree from the Soroptimist International of Oshawa- Whitby. The award honours a woman from the area with strong character who is motivated, goal-driven and an inspiration inspiration to others. Ms. Hickling fit the bill. "(The judges) graded her full marks in all of those areas," said Katharine DuQucsnay, publicity co-ordinator for the club. "It recognizes and encourages women who have had struggles in their life and who may be in great need at the moment." Ms. Hickling, 42, received a grant of $750 which she plans to apply to continuing her education further. She is also eligible for a region-level award the Soroptimists grant in May or June. First prize is $5,000. "I was thrilled," said Ms. Hickling. "I think it's an honour to be recognized recognized for hard work." Her journey began 17 years ago after her first daughter, Candace McClelland, now 18, was born. She wanted to be a role model for her daughter and decided to pursue a university degree. "I would lead by example," sbe said. Her second daughter, Kaitlyn Anne McClelland, is now 12. She's raised her children on her own for the last 10 years. Ms. Hickling dabbled in university and college courses before she began seriously seriously pursuing a degree in anthropology anthropology and women's studies part-time through Trent University seven years ago. Shortly after she began school, she got sick. Ms. Hickling spent months in the hospital and requires morphine and painkillers. Doctors suspect she has multiple sclerosis. "I refused to quit," she said. "I knew inside myself how much I wanted it. "Luckily Trent has an excellent program program for people with disabilities." She took courses through the Durham University University Centre and has made the president's president's honour roll with an 82 per cent average. She receives her degree this month and plans to go to graduate school for her masters in social work. She currently volunteers at a Bow- manvillc counselling service. Looking back, she said her daughters and friends were an integral part of her success. Her older daughter often took on cleaning and cooking responsibilities when Ms. Hickling was immobile. "I owe a lot of it to my oldest daughter and supportive friends. Collectively, we made this happen. "If I can go against the odds, any woman can do it with help." The Women's Opportunity Awards is an annual event. Call Margaret Grecnley at 905-721-3111, ext. 2340 for more in- fonnation. ^ DENIAI ^ Dr. Kart Vermeulen 6)623-7100 GENERAL FAMILY DENTISTRY EMERGENCY CARE AVAILABLE Q Sedation 7) Children's Dentistry ^. 0 Peridontist Çj Orthodontics Ij^tr-ti^ntEtry^) 60 LIBERTY ST. SOUTH fgSX ■OWMANVILLE YW ® 53 V - . -1111:1 iiainiivtir , ARTHRITIS of the KNEE RESEARCH STUDY of an INVESTIGATIONAL TOPICAL PAIN RELIEVER (applied on the skin) IF YOU: • HAVE OSTEOARTHRITIC KNEE PAIN • ARE BETWEEN 40 AND 85 YEARS OF AGE • ARE ABLE TO ATTEND 5 VISITS OVER 3 MONTHS AT BBM CLINICAL RESEARCH LOCATED IN THE COURTICE HEALTH CENTRE YOU MAY BE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 1-866-373-6672 NP0520902 Copyright 2002. Scars Canada Inc.