When people picture a high school graduate, they often imagine a teenager crossing a stage with proud parents cheering from the audience.
At the Baltimore Excel Center, the scene looks a little different.
Many graduates are parents themselves. Some work full-time jobs. Others care for children, aging relatives, or both. Some are returning to the classroom after years—or even decades—away from school.
What they all have in common is that no one reaches graduation alone.
As the Baltimore Excel Center prepares to celebrate its newest graduating class, many students point to family as the driving force behind their success. Whether it was a child who inspired them to keep going, a daughter cheering from the sidelines, or a sibling who believed in their potential, family support often became the fuel that carried them through the most challenging moments.
Here are five graduates whose journeys were shaped by the people they love most.
A Son Who Changed Everything
For Deja Simms, motherhood changed the trajectory of her life.
Before her son Jakari was born, she didn’t see education as part of her future.
“I just kept saying, ‘School’s not for me,'” she recalled.
But becoming a mother gave her a new perspective. Suddenly, earning a diploma wasn’t just about personal achievement—it was about creating opportunities for her son and showing him what was possible.
With Jakari serving as her daily motivation, Deja returned to school determined to finish what she started. Today, she graduates with her diploma, workforce credentials, and plans for a future in healthcare.
Her son may be too young to fully understand the significance of graduation day, but one day he’ll know that his mother’s determination was inspired by him.
The Daughter Watching Everything
For LaJaE Ramsey, balancing school and parenthood wasn’t always easy.
When she enrolled at the Excel Center, finding reliable childcare often stood between her and the classroom. Attendance became a challenge as she worked to juggle educational goals with the realities of raising a young daughter.
Eventually, she secured dependable childcare and was able to focus on her studies. Once she found that stability, she flourished, becoming an A/B student and staying on track toward graduation.
Throughout the journey, her daughter remained at the center of everything she did.
Every class attended and every assignment completed represented an investment in her daughter’s future as much as her own.
The Mother Leading by Example
Tyeeshia Cannady spent years encouraging her daughters to pursue their goals.
Then it was her turn.
As a mother of four daughters, Tyeeshia understood that children often learn more from what they see than what they hear. Returning to school as an adult required courage, commitment, and sacrifice, but she wanted her daughters to witness firsthand what perseverance looks like.
Today, one of her daughters is already attending college, while her younger daughters have become some of her biggest supporters.
When Tyeeshia walks across the graduation stage, her diploma will symbolize something larger than educational achievement. It will represent a powerful lesson she has passed on to her children: it is never too late to chase a dream.
Turning Personal Struggles Into Purpose
For Tyva Robinson, family became the inspiration behind her future career.
Her educational journey was shaped in part by difficult experiences involving her own family. Rather than allowing those challenges to define her, she used them as motivation to build something meaningful.
As she looks toward the future, Tyva hopes to become a social worker focused on helping children in foster care.
The goal is deeply personal.
She understands the challenges families face because she has lived them herself. Now, armed with a diploma and renewed confidence, she hopes to help other children and families find support during difficult times.
Her graduation is not only a personal victory—it is the first step toward serving families throughout her community.
A Sister’s Influence
For Olivia Cruz Rivera, education became a family journey.
Originally from Honduras, Olivia enrolled at the Excel Center to earn the diploma she needed to pursue new opportunities in the United States. Along the way, she discovered that her commitment to education was inspiring others around her.
Her sister enrolled in classes as well, motivated in part by Olivia’s determination and success.
While her sister eventually stepped away, she plans to return and continue working toward her educational goals.
The experience reinforced something Olivia has come to believe strongly: when one person in a family takes a step forward, others often find the courage to do the same.
Her graduation is proof that education can create opportunities not only for one individual, but for entire families.
More Than Individual Success
The Baltimore Excel Center was created to help adults earn a high school diploma while balancing the responsibilities and challenges that come with adult life.
What many students discover along the way is that success becomes even more meaningful when it is shared.
Children become motivators. Daughters become cheerleaders. Siblings become sources of encouragement. Families celebrate every victory together.
When graduates cross the stage this June, they will receive diplomas bearing their names.
But behind every diploma is a story of support, sacrifice, encouragement, and love.
And for many Baltimore Excel Center graduates, family is the reason they never gave up.
