This moment meant everything to me, especially considering my journey. After high school, my priorities were misplaced—I was more focused on football and girls than my future. While my friends went off to college, I stayed home, working for a year. It was then that I met a beautiful young woman, Jordane, a senior at USC Upstate. We talked about my dreams, and she asked if I’d ever considered going to school. I confessed I didn’t think my grades were good enough, but she took me to register at SCC that day, changing everything.
Nine months later, Jordane tragically passed away on the way to pick me up from class. Losing her left me broken with guilt and grief, and for a while, I almost gave up. But my loved ones supported me, helping me keep going. As graduation day approached, I felt like I was making Jordane proud. She had been my saving grace, guiding me when I didn’t realize I needed help.
The ceremony seemed to fly by in a blur, with speakers and names being called, but when it was finally my turn, everything slowed down. As I walked across that stage, I could feel the weight of years of struggle and sacrifice lift off my shoulders. The cheers from the crowd faded into the background, and all I could focus on was the sense of accomplishment and the memory of Jordane. When the chancellor handed me my degree, it felt like everything had come full circle. The moment I had worked so hard for was finally here. As I turned my tassel, I couldn’t help but watch as my cap soared into the sky, a symbol of everything I had overcome. I stood there,
smiling wide, a mixture of joy, pride, and bittersweet remembrance.
It wasn’t just my ; it ours. It was the of Jordane’s belief in me when I couldn’t see it myself. That moment felt like a gift from her, like she was still with me, cheering me on from beyond. Walking off that stage, I felt lighter, like a chapter had ended and a new one had begun. Celebrating with my family at Longhorn Steakhouse that evening, surrounded by the people who had supported me through everything, I realized just how far I’d come. It was more than just graduation—it was a testament to resilience, love, and the power of never giving up
