Sitting among the more than 1,300 Rhode Island College graduates in the class of 2023 was Francisca Garcia.
“I cannot believe that I made it,” she told the crowd.
Before earning her degree, the 48-year-old mother of two was homeless for years in New York and Rhode Island after moving to the U.S. from Ecuador in 1999.
Garcia said, “Sometimes we didn’t have no food to eat. We had to wait for donations so we can eat.”
She said that experience inspired her to pursue a degree in social work.
Now she’ll work on earning a master’s degree with the hopes of working to address Rhode Island’s growing homelessness crisis.
Meanwhile in Ohio, three teens are looking forward to an exciting graduation weekend, when they’ll be honored as co-valedictorians and salutatorian.
The best part? They’re triplets!
Sadie, Gage and Caydin Barker graduated from Sebring McKinley High School with nothing but bright futures ahead of them.
“These three are amazing in everything they have done in life so far,” said their mom, Becky Pusateri-Barker.
Caydin and Sadie will be named co-valedictorians, and Gage will be named salutatorian.
Sadie is planning to attend the University of Cincinnati, majoring in chemical engineering and branching into law school.
Electrical Lineman trade school is up next for Gage, who hasn’t ruled out college completely.
Caydin is also planning to attend the University of Cincinnati, majoring in electrical engineering and branching into business.