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Sacrifices of adult students about to pay off photo by Drew Fleming Frances Duffy is led out of the blood drawing room by Gayle Sutro, a retired stuntwoman and soon-to-be graduate of Abdill Career College. Abdill Career College will hold its first graduation ceremony tonight By Shari Downhill Gayle Sutro is accustomed to dangerous moves. At 48, the retired stunt woman has experienced her share of fearful situations. Tuesday, Sutro swooped into Abdill Career College�s front office for business of a safer nature � to pick up her cap and gown for the graduation ceremony tonight at the Rogue Valley Medical Center Smullin Health Education Center. Sutro moved to Southern Oregon from San Diego in 1994 with her horses after calling it quits in Hollywood. She settled herself and her herd on an eight-acre ranch in Stirling Creek and sought help from the Job Council to find a new career. Opting for Abdill�s medical assistant program, Sutro said she was impressed with the fact she could complete the program in six months and considered the curriculum and practical experience superior to what was available to her elsewhere. After launching herself from airborne helicopters, wielding guns and maneuvering screeching cars for prime time television, Sutro said her new position as a medical assistant working in a professional office atmosphere is just the change she needed. "These are the best days of my life," she laughed. "Stunt work is a young person�s field. I like my bones in one piece now." Sutro completed the externship portion of her medical assistant program with Dr. William Husum of Medford and was promptly hired by Southern Oregon Internal Medicine, where she currently works. Tonight�s ceremony is one of the first significant additions at Abdill following the purchase of the school by Ki , a former employee. Ki took over helm at the school in September. Created by Annette Abdill as a real estate school 20 years ago, Abdill Career College has expanded to offer computer workshops and certificates in the fields of accounting, insurance, legal secretary, medical management, medical transcription and office skills. The school also offers courses in real estate and is seeking accreditation for its medical assistant program. Future programs are planned in dental assisting and limited x-ray. Settled behind her desk on the second floor of the Century Building on East Main, Ki said tonight�s ceremony is necessary to honor the school�s former students. "These are adults who have made a lot of sacrifices in their lives," Ki said of the graduation. "They have children, housework, homework and laundry. They have childcare and cars that are breaking down. They�ve gone through a tremendous amount of work and sacrifice ... and I think it�s important to honor them." About 35 students will be participating in Abdill Career College�s graduation ceremony set for 6:30 p.m. tonight. Eighty students completed programs at Abdill in 1999 and 2000. "It�s a fantastic thing to watch people come in here and they�re not sure of themselves," Ki said. "They haven�t been in school in years. Their confidence level and self esteem are pretty low. Then they slowly blossom." In addition to course work, Ki said instructors incorporate knowledge of professional dress code, speaking skills, body language and successful job hunting methods. "It�s not just, �Here�s a book. Let�s teach you,�" she said. Financial aid is also available for students who qualify. "We want education to be available for everyone who wants to invest in their future," Ki said of the school�s new financial aid program. "People invest in the stock market, this is an investment in their life." Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.