College student gives birth, has hospital graduation ceremony instead

Juliet Smith missed her college graduation because her baby decided to arrive early, but school officials made it up to her in a very special way.

Her son Milo was born on Friday, May 15th, at 11:57pm, more than 3 weeks before his June 9th due date and less than 8 hours before her graduation ceremony from Guilford College in North Carolina.

Her water had broken unexpectedly at a local restaurant where she had gone to eat with her fiancé and mother after a baccalaureate service.

She was then taken to the hospital amidst cheers from other patrons and gave birth shortly thereafter.

Though Smith was disappointed to miss the ceremony on Saturday morning, she was grateful to have a healthy newborn.

Imagine her surprise when later that day she wheeled into a hospital room for her very own graduation ceremony.

One professor had brought his tuba to play Pomp and Circumstance as the new mom and her baby were pushed down the aisle leading a processional of school staff still wearing their academic robes.

Commencement speakers then offered abbreviated versions of their speeches, and she was handed her diploma with her brand new baby to share the moment.

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