AUGUSTA, Ga. – While the mother and her two daughters walked across the stage, they had no idea that all three of them graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Veronica Cunningham and her daughters Kendra and Lakeisha Cunningham were all able to receive the same degree on the dame day from Voorhees College in interdisciplinary studies.
“To be able to do this with my family was a personal milestone and personal achievement for myself, but to be able to do it with my sister and my mom was a legacy for our family,” says Lakeisha Cunningham, Veronica’s daughter and a Voorhees College graduate.
Veronica was already attending Voorhees and encouraged her daughters to enroll, knowing it was always a goal for them to finish — but they didn’t know they would finish together.
“They audited all of our transcripts I graduated first in December. They had a couple more semesters to go, so as it played out they only have one graduation per year. So because I graduated in December, I still had to wait until May,” says Veronica Cunningham,
They all held each other accountable for turning in assignments and supporting each other to get across the finish line while balancing other busy agendas.
“I was going 110 miles an hour, so I really needed and appreciated them saying, hey did you turn in? or did you check your emails? And you tell yourselves I don’t need that, but I really did. I’m so grateful for that, because it kept me on point,” says Lakeisha Cunningham.
It was a heartfelt moment being able to share the momentous moment with each other. They were able to sit by each other during graduation.
“It could not have been any better for me, for them, for our family. It was perfect. God had this in place for us to do this together,” says Kendra Cunningham.
It was a Mother’s Day gift Veronica will never forget.
“I could not make it without my daughters. They are my arms, my legs, my eyes, my ears, my heart. They have been so good to me and made me so proud,” says Veronica.
