Michigan Mom Accepts College Diploma With 10-Day-Old Baby Tucked in Her Robe

When a Michigan college graduate walked across the stage to accept her diploma last week, her newborn baby was right there with her.

Grace Szymchack has been working toward her bachelor's degree at Ferris State University for six years. Her second child was due on December 18, three days after Friday's graduation ceremony. But her daughter had other plans.

Life is What Happens When You're Busy Making Plans

Szymchack welcomed her new daughter Annabelle into the world a little early, about two weeks before her due date. That means that Szymchack underwent a C-Section just 10 days before her college graduation.

But she tells WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids that she wasn't about to miss the ceremony.

"I'm like, 'No, I'm feeling great, I want to go,'" she said. "I was very determined."

Mother Knows Best

She goes on to say that it was her mother who had the idea that Grace's newborn baby accompany her to her graduation ceremony.

"My mom, the day before, said, 'Just wear her on you, underneath your gown. No one will notice. It'll be OK,'" Szymchak said. "Si just kept her with me."

 

A Perfect Little Angel

Grace tells the TV station that her baby behaved perfectly and didn't make a sound during the graduation ceremony.

The mother of two earned her degree, majoring in early childhood education. She plans to continue her job at a local hospital, teaching a preschool class. Eventually, she plans to continue her education and earn her master's degree.