94-year-old woman graduates college with a perfect GPA

Jan. 18 (UPI) -- A Hawaii woman was treated to a surprise ceremony celebrating her graduation from college with a perfect GPA at the age of 94.

Amy Craton, 94, was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and English after taking two and a half years of online courses from Southern New Hampshire University.

"There are so many things that make Amy Craton special- getting her degree at the age of 94 is just one of them. Congratulations, Amy!" the university said in a Facebook post.

Craton, who had a perfect 4.0 GPA,was treated to a surprise ceremony in Honolulu to receive her diploma.

SNHU President Paul LeBlanc led a delegation of professors, advisers and other faculty members to attend Craton's graduation celebration.

"It's been really fun, because this story has touched people," LeBlanc told Inside Edition.

Craton said she started college in 1962, but her education was put on hold when she divorced and had to raise her four children alone.

She said she decided going back to school would be a worthwhile way to spend her retirement.

"I couldn't see just sitting there all the time, watching Netflix," Craton said. "There's nothing on TV and I don't watch soaps."

She said she made sure to keep up with new technology so she could complete her online classes.

"I think we were all a little surprised," LeBlanc said. "For someone to go back to school in their 90s and handle new technology, [that can] be a little surprising, but given what we understand about Amy, it's probably not a surprise in her case."

Craton, who said she plans to write a children's book, said her academic career isn't over -- she's now working on a Master's degree.