Gretchen Wilson’s Graduation Picture

Almost 20 years after dropping out of high school as a ninth grader, Gretchen Wilson went back to school and earned her diploma in 2008. She enrolled in adult education classes in Wilson County, Tenn. and did homework on the road. A tutor helped her with her most challenging subject (math), and when the day came to accept her degree, she stood tall on the stage. Wilson says it was something she wanted to do, but was mostly inspired by her then 7-year-old daughter Grace. "I don't want her to think you can be this successful without an education," she told the Tennessean. "It's something I should have done a long time ago and now I can file it away."