Central Arkansas mother surprises daughter by graduating high school with her

PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. – It was a graduation ceremony with a twist at the Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter High School, showing education has no age limit.

Janiyia Eve, a graduating senior in the Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School class of 2024, knew it was going to be an exciting day, but her stroll across the stage came with a surprise.

For over a year, her mother Carolyn Adway earned her degree too.

“When I tell you it was blood sweat and tears behind this diploma, I mean every word of it,” Adway said.

A secret was kept between Adway and the principal, Anita Hart. Hart said it all started when they met about Janiya’s schoolwork in 2016.

“She made the statement, ‘I don’t want you to drop out of high school like I did,’ the three of us became emotional,” Hart said.

They went the extra mile, keeping it from Janiyia.

“I would sneak study guides home through her daughter, she never knew what it was,” Hart said.

The big reveal came on graduation day.

“It was so hard keeping it, but I did it,” Adway said.

With diplomas in hand, both mother and daughter finished what they started, and now turn their tassels to the next page together.

“It’s amazing,” Eve said, “I’m definitely proud.”

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