They both are finally embarking on their dreams!
A Louisiana mother and daughter are set to graduate together from Grambling State University, MyArklamiss reports.
Suzzon Jiles is a 48-year-old mother of two who says she spent most of her life putting her children first, choosing to finally go back and get her high school diploma at 29-years-old. After accomplishing such a huge milestone, Jiles said she never thought she would go back to school again. Her 21-year-old daughter, Trinity Humphrey, eventually inspired her to go to college as she prepared to pursue her own education. Now the two are prepared to graduate together from Grambling State University.
“I didn’t know anything about college life. And I said, well, I’m gonna get up and go to college. I had no idea that I was gonna walk alongside my daughter. This is just history for both of us…My daughter said, ‘Momma we’re doing this,’ and to hear my daughter say, ‘We are doing it,’ I kept going…studying all night. Sometimes going to bed at three or four in the morning while working and doing two jobs. It was stressful. But, I wouldn’t trade another day for it. I would do it again,” said Jiles.
Jiles pursued her degree in early childhood education with Humphrey earning her degree in biology. Both women said the journey was worth it but admits it was a complete struggle navigating the past few years through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Coming to this institution has taught me leadership skills, time management, and how to grow as a young adult…Organic chemistry was very hard for me due to COVID and the classes being 100% online. I’m more of a hands-on person. But the faculty and staff helped me tremendously,” Humphrey told Gram.edu.
“There were many difficulties I faced working and going to school. It was overwhelming at times being a wife and a working mother. There were long hours spent studying, not to mention that COVID hit right when I enrolled at Grambling. I never got to enjoy my college experience, and I never even got to tour the campus. But thank God I made it this far, and I will continue,” Jiles added.
Humphrey said she’s really proud of her mother and grateful for all she’s done for her.
“My mom actually joined, I think, during her junior year. So, we just started the journey together. And it’s been, with my mom, it’s been really really good. She was my mom and dad growing up. She took care of us…She paved the way for me really. She made sure I was good with everything. If I told her I wanted to do something she made sure it was done,” she said.
Jiles plans to open up her own child development center in Monroe, Louisiana with Humphrey planning to pursue a career in dentistry. Jiles said it was a longtime dream of hers that she’s grateful to finally be able to pursue.
“Grambling State has changed my life. I’m now educated and soon to be degreed! I have enjoyed every connection I have made here, finding friends for a lifetime and a plethora of knowledge about early childhood education. I’m very much grateful for that. I was inspired to become a child care worker/owner after being number two of 10 siblings. I helped my mom raise my younger siblings and loved teaching them as well. So, I’ve kind of been doing it most of my life,” said Jiles.
Jiles said if she could give any advice to others, it would be don’t wait on pursuing your dreams.
“Hesitation holds you back. But you have to keep stern and keep pressing.”
The mother-daughter duo is set to graduate from Grambling State on May 12. Congratulations, ladies!
Photo Courtesy of Grambling State