{"id":294763,"date":"2023-07-18T16:47:31","date_gmt":"2023-07-18T21:47:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.liveaction.org\/news\/?p=294763"},"modified":"2023-07-17T19:53:11","modified_gmt":"2023-07-18T00:53:11","slug":"mom-graduates-college-children-inspiration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.liveaction.org\/news\/mom-graduates-college-children-inspiration\/","title":{"rendered":"Mom of 7 graduates as college valedictorian, says children are her ‘inspiration’"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A mother in Lakeland, Florida, has graduated at the top of her class \u2014 and she credits her seven children for her success.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cEach step has been marked by the support and love of an amazing family who have been my rock and foundation throughout,\u201d Payne said<\/a> in her speech. \u201cTo my precious children, you are the reason I strive for greatness and I thank you for the motivation and inspiration you provide every day.\u201d<\/p>\n

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 \u2018Aim for the moon, if you miss, you may hit a star,\u2019\u201d Payne recounted. \u201cIf she can realize the vast opportunities this world has to offer, so can you.”<\/p>\n

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