BIG RAPIDS, Mich. — A Traverse City mom recently received her diploma from Ferris State University with an unexpected guest—her new baby.
24-year-old Grace Szymchack had planned to graduate on Friday, Dec. 15 and have a C-section to deliver her baby, Annabelle, on Monday, Dec. 18. Those plans changed when Annabelle came early on Dec. 6.
But Szymchack had no intentions for that to keep her off the stage during commencement.
"I’d worked hard for this degree, and I was determined to walk with the rest of my class … so I just brought her to graduation with me,” she said.
Szymchack received her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education with 10-day-old Annabelle tucked inside her graduation gown.
"I kind of hope it inspires another mom to go back to school and show that she can do it too," said Szymchack.
For the past six years, Szymchack has balanced classes, parenting and work with her husband, Caleb, to attain her degree. She said she knew from a young age that she wanted to be a teacher.
Now, Szymchack is teaching full-time at a Strong Beginnings program, where she works with preschoolers.
“I love working with the littles the best … I feel like I can really make an impact there,” she said.
Now, Szymchack is home with an 18-month-old and her newborn.
"I hope to see her walk across the stage one day too," said Szymchack about newborn Annabelle, "whichever college or university she chooses....without me having to carry her."
More than 400 students received their diplomas at the commencement ceremony.
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