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Mom of 7 graduates as college valedictorian, says children are her ‘inspiration’
A mother in Lakeland, Florida, has graduated at the top of her class — and she credits her seven children for her success.
Ashley Payne was the valedictorian of her graduating class from Keiser University, earning a degree in science and nursing. During her commencement speech, she credited the support of her family for getting her to where she is today.
“Each step has been marked by the support and love of an amazing family who have been my rock and foundation throughout,” Payne said in her speech. “To my precious children, you are the reason I strive for greatness and I thank you for the motivation and inspiration you provide every day.”
Payne also shared a story about her first day of classes, when she received an encouraging note from her 9-year-old daughter. “She sent me to school with a Post-It note in her tiny handwriting that had this phrase ‘Aim for the moon, if you miss, you may hit a star,’” Payne recounted. “If she can realize the vast opportunities this world has to offer, so can you.”
She said it was her love of her family and her desire to help other mothers that spurred her decision to go back to school, as she wants to work as a midwife.
“My array of birth experiences, after having seven babies, has put me in a unique position to be able to empathize with most women and has cultivated a passion for birth work as deep-rooted as the oldest Shepherd’s tree,” Payne said. She even plans to continue her education further by studying for a Master of Science degree in Nurse-Midwifery at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. She is proving that women can be both successful mothers and successful students.
“We are incredibly proud of Ashley for being named valedictorian of her graduating class with a perfect 4.0 GPA,” a Keiser spokesperson told Southern Living in a statement. “Such determination is common among Keiser University graduates. We live to serve students like Ashley and the many other working parents who are determined to take their next steps toward professional growth. We wish Ashley all the best in the future and encourage her to keep reaching for the stars.”
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Human Interest·By Bridget Sielicki
