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After four years of hard work, Dillard University student Jada Sayles was preparing to walk the stage on her graduation day, but her baby son made a heartwarming debut first.
“I thought I was gonna walk across the stage to get my degree, instead I got my baby,” Sayles writes on Twitter, along with a series of adorable photos.
“My sweet face decided to make his way on my big day (now his).”
I thought I was gonna walk across the stage to get my degree, instead I got my baby. My sweet face decided to make his way on MY big day (now his). Shoutout to my university for still bringing my graduation and degree to me. 🎓 Ima college graduate & mommy, talk to me nice! 🎉 pic.twitter.com/3KyVReqyUJ
— Jada S. (@JadaSayles) May 15, 2022
Sayles was admitted to the hospital around 4:30 a.m., hours before she was scheduled to be at graduation on May 15, People reported.
“[The contractions] were getting stronger and stronger,” Sayles told WDSU. “It happened so fast. I didn’t even realize I was missing graduation because it was just such a fast labor.”
Once she knew she couldn’t attend the ceremony, Sayles notified Dillard’s outgoing President Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough. He deemed it a celebratory occasion for the new mother and graduate, so he was more than willing to bring a ceremony to her at the hospital.
“Jada went into labor on Friday evening. Texted me around 4:30 a.m. Saturday saying she was being admitted, and the baby was born on her graduation day,” Kimbrough wrote on Twitter.
“So we rolled up to the hospital, so I could finish my tenure in the most special way.”
Jada went into labor on Friday evening. Texted me around 4:30 am Saturday saying she was being admitted, & the baby was born on her graduation day, May 14th. So we rolled up to the hospital so I could finish my tenure in the most special way. #myDU pic.twitter.com/JieETrXVgy
— Walter M. Kimbrough (@HipHopPrez) May 15, 2022
Sayles, dressed in her cap and gown, was given the opportunity to accept her degree. She was especially proud having earned a 4.0 grade point average during her pregnancy. Her family can be heard in the background of a video cheering her on as Kimbrough declared the new mom an official graduate from the historically Black college. And her new baby boy was a special guest to the momentous event.
I even did the tassel part of commencement! This really was a very sweet moment. I’ll never forget it. pic.twitter.com/gVExIXMMgi
— Walter M. Kimbrough (@HipHopPrez) May 15, 2022
Taylor received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with an emphasis in pre-law, according to WDSU.
“You can do it with a kid. You can do it without a kid. You can do it pregnant. You can do it not pregnant. You can do it,” Sayles advised.
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