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At a not-so-distant age from one another, Sherina Ali and Jolina Rodriguez are a mother and daughter team that grew up with a relationship that more resembled a close friendship than a parent to child union.

The fact that the two Richmond Hill residents recently threw on their caps and gowns to graduate from the New York City College of Technology together comes as little surprise because the two have grown so close over the years. Both are studying for Bachelor’s degrees in human services after earning Associate degrees this past June.

“It was an absolutely beautiful experience,” said 42-year-old Sherina. “I went to college when Jolina was 10 years old, and now that she’s 21, going back with my daughter was like going with my friend. It was beautiful because she helped me out.”

Sherina and Jolina have shared textbooks and even took a math class together. Walking through the hallways of City Tech, Sherina received a number of compliments about her youthful looks, as many people frequently say the two look more like sisters.

In many ways, Jolina gave assistance to her mother, as Sherina had to be brought up to speed on certain aspects of school life. Jolina taught her mother how to register for classes and provided help in the math course they took together.

“I chose to go into that class with her since I was fresh out of high school and had a better grasp of the subject,” Jolina said.

Sherina worked in a position as an administrative assistant with Citibank in Manhattan on Wall Street, but the attacks of Sept. 11 made continuing to work there very difficult. Sherina remembers getting off the train on her way to work, and making her way towards Citibank. Not wanting to catch anyone’s attention due to her tardiness that morning, Sherina quietly made her way to her desk and noticed that the office was empty and quiet.

“I looked towards the conference room and saw that everyone was gathered there, and I still didn’t even notice at that point that I was completely covered in ash,” Sherina said. “They just all turned around and looked at me, and I thought ‘Oh gosh, I’m late and everyone caught me.’ But then I saw what was happening on the TV.”

Everyone in Sherina’s 24th floor office was then evacuated out of the building and placed on a ferry that took them to New Jersey. The main thing Sherina said she remembers from the ferry ride was how grippingly quiet everyone was.

After seeing that her mother was having difficulty with going to work after that day, Jolina encouraged Sherina to return to school once again. Fearing that she would infringe on her daughter’s space, Sherina said that her daughter ensured her that City Tech was large enough for the two to partake in their own academics.

“City Tech has a real family feeling, one that helped bring our family closer together at a difficult time,” Jolina said.

This past week, Jolina gave birth to a baby girl, Samiya Alina. Sherina is very happy that the baby will be raised in the Richmond Hill home where the two currently live. “It’s very convenient for a grandma,” she said. “It’s a mini sorority, and Samiya Alina is an incoming freshman.”

The two also have the luxury of having family very close by, as Sherina’s parents live only a block away, as does her brother.

As Jolina remains home caring for her newborn baby, Sherina is about to start a full-time job on the staff of City Tech’s Student Health Center, and is also employed part-time in a home for developmentally disabled adults run by Catholic Charities. In addition, she is beginning her second year as president of the College’s Human Services Club, which provides opportunities for students to give back to the community in many ways, such as collecting clothing for the homeless.

“It’s funny,” said Ali. “Children often follow in their parents’ footsteps, but I’m one parent who is following in my child’s. I’ve learned so much from her.”