School brings graduation ceremony to woman who missed graduation

Juliet Smith, got the surprise of her life last week.

A day before her graduation at Guilford College as an English major and a German minor she gave birth to her son Milo. Smith went into labour the night before. Her water broke when she was having dinner with her family in a restaurant. She gave birth three weeks early.

The next morning she was in no shape to travel for the ceremony. She was slightly upset that she missed her graduation, but the joy of motherhood replaced trumped that.

“Even though I was initially upset about missing graduation, I came to peace with the fact that I wouldn't’t be there as soon as I heard Milo’s cry when he was born. Nothing else mattered at that point” she said.

Unknown to Smith a surprise was heading her way. Her professors and deans from Guilford College came to meet Smith in her hospital room and gave her own private graduate ceremony.

“Juliet’s graduation ceremony represents the best of the Guilford College community and the connection and support for all of our students. It was a wonderful day for Juliet and all of our graduates” Guilford’s Assistant Academic Dean Erin Dell told BuzzFeed News.

Smith was happy about the re-enactment.

“I have loved Guilford College throughout my time there, and feel so honored to call it my Alma Mater. I don’t think any other school would have done that for a student, and I still just cannot believe that Guilford did that for me. I am so blessed to have such support in my life, and now a beautiful baby boy” she said.