We made it through another long week. Happy Friday. It’s time for a happy story to end the week with a smile.
This time of year is full of school graduations. Seton Hall University in New Jersey held its commencement ceremony at the end of May. Grace Mariani was among those receiving a diploma – a B.S. in education. She graduated magna cum laude. Grace is in a wheelchair. She has a service dog, Justin, who is a 6-year-old yellow lab and golden retriever mix. Justin has attended all of Grace’s classes with her. As she wheeled across the stage, Justin walked right beside her.
President Joseph Nyre handed Grace her diploma. Then he turned to Justin and held out a diploma for him. The crowd inside the Prudential Center in Newark went wild. Justin paused, looked over at Grace, and then accepted the diploma. His tail was wagging and Grace was smiling. They left the stage together as the crowd cheered. What a great moment for the two of them.
Grace plans to use her degree to work in elementary education and special education.
Justin stole the show.
If that doesn’t make you smile, check yourself.
Justin wasn’t the only one to receive an honorary diploma this year from Seton Hall University.
Seton Hall’s graduation also honored both former PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi and Borys Gudziak, Metropolitan Archbishop of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.
The university graduated 2,337 students total this year — or 2,338, if you count Justin.
