Persistence pays off for attorney
David Kemp
Age: 55
Occupation: First Assistant County Attorney, Potter County Attorney's Office.

Where did you receive your education?
High School: McCallum High School, Austin; Southwestern University, Georgetown; Bachelor of Arts, University of Texas; Juris Doctorate, University of Texas School of Law.

How has your education played a role in your life today?
From an occupational standpoint, my legal education prepared me to do what I do today. In general, education is a big part of my life because I have other interests besides my day job and I love to learn about those areas.

What was your greatest educational challenge and how did you overcome it?
I worried a lot about keeping my grades up in undergraduate courses so I would be accepted to law school. The solution was persistence and a lot of work.

What is the value of your education?
A good education makes you want to continue to learn for the rest of your life. That's very important in every profession these days.

What would you say to someone who is undecided about continuing their education?
Study something that interests you. Then you'll want to learn.

When did you make education a priority?
I knew in high school that I would have to go to undergraduate school and beyond to do what I wanted to do with my life.

What made you realize the importance of education in your life?
I was fortunate in that my parents always encouraged my education.

Did you ever think about quitting? What made you keep going?
I'm sure there were times I thought about it, but once you get through, you forget about those times. A lot of people helped and supported me along the way, for which I am grateful.