Orangeburg, SC (WLTX) -- Among the crowd of 600 men and women getting their degrees from South Carolina State University were a mother and son who have overcome tragedy and are graduating together.
“It’s a very exciting moment,” Vondella Smith-Richardson said excitedly. “It’s been a really great journey, my son and I we did it as a team.”
Her and her son Tabaris Smith encouraged each other during their journey to graduation.
“Getting over my mom was a big thing but I got with support and she was very supportive throughout the situation,” Tabaris explained. “So I think I’m very more proud of her to overcome than I am myself.”
Vondella is really Tabaris’ aunt, Tabaris’s mom died in an accident in 2002.
“I raised him and his sister and their children with my son and it was challenging. It wasn’t always easy but I thank God that we got through,” Vondella said.
“I just want to make the community better make South Carolina better and hopefully we can grow and do great things,” Tabaris said. “Well you got to know that life is all about sacrifices and you’ve got to overcome things.”
So this moment is bigger than just the two of them,they’re living out their best lives together to make their special angel proud of both of them.
Vondella Smith-Richardson received her Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling and Tabaris Smith received his Bachelor’s degree in economics.