Commencement day ended up being extra special for one college graduate.
After four years of hard work, Jada Sayles was getting ready to graduate from Dillard University, a historically Black university in New Orleans, on Saturday. Then, she went into labor.
Around 4:30 a.m., just hours before the ceremony was scheduled to take place, Sayles was admitted to the hospital. That day, she ended up celebrating another milestone moment: the birth of her son.
“My sweet face decided to make his way on MY big day (now his),” she added.
Jada Sayles and newborn.Courtesy Jada Sayles

Since Sayles couldn’t attend her ceremony, the school decided to bring the ceremony to her.
Jada Sayles and newborn.Jada Sayles and newborn.Jada Sayles and newborn.PHOTO: Courtesy Jada SaylesJada Sayles and newborn.PHOTO: Courtesy Jada Sayles
Jada Sayles and newborn.Jada Sayles and newborn.
Jada Sayles and newborn.


Jada Sayles and newborn.PHOTO: Courtesy Jada SaylesJada Sayles and newborn.PHOTO: Courtesy Jada Sayles
As she was presented with her degree at the hospital, Sayles wore her graduation cap and gown.
In addition to her family members, who could be heard cheering her on in the background, there was another extra special guest: her newborn son, whom she held in her arms.
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Jada Sayles.Courtesy Jada Sayles

After praising her “determination and commitment to excellence,” Kimbrough declared the new mom an official graduate.
“This really was a very sweet moment,” hewrotealongside video footage of the hospital ceremony. “I’ll never forget it.”
That day, Sayles received her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, according to NBC stationWDSU.
Dillard University President Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough and Jada Sayles.Walter M. Kimbrough/Twitter;

Kimbrough went on to share that although he “would have done this for anyone that asked,” he was actually the one to bring up the idea of the visit.
“What time can we come!” he recalled telling the new mother. “To me this is what HBCUs are all about!”
source: people.com