Two Arkansas Tech University graduates share their experiences helping add two high school graduates to their families while working together as parents to earn their degrees.
Kesia Watts said, “Tell your kids that you can set goals in life, and that no matter what happens in life, you can achieve them for as long as you set your mind to it.'' I wanted them to understand that it can be done.”
She and her husband, Stephen, are setting an example for not only their children, but that it's never too late to earn a degree.
They walked down this aisle 15 years ago. On Saturday, the two walked across the stage at Arkansas Tech University's graduation ceremony.
“Me and Stephen are supposed to be graduating in the same ceremony, but it's kind of unique how it happened because we both had to take a little break between schoolwork,” Kesia said. said.
Stephen graduated from Arkansas Tech University with a bachelor's degree in 2007 while serving in the military. He then married Keshia in 2009. After that, Stephen retired in 2017.
In between being a mother and father to six children and their hobbies, they prioritized education.
“The kids were playing basketball, football, travel volleyball, travel baseball, so in between they were doing whatever they could do online or in class,” Stephen Watts said.
Today they are celebrating not only joint achievements, but also successes. Keshia graduated with a bachelor's degree in education, and Steven earned a master's degree in education.
“It's kind of cool to be graduating at the same time as my wife and best friend,” said Stephen Watts.
Sharing it with two of your six children makes the moment even more special.
“It's really cool just to think about it because it's such a big deal for us to graduate and it's really cool to just see them graduate too,” Maddox Watts said. .
After high school, Maddox Watts followed in his father's footsteps by joining the U.S. Army, and his younger sister, Kennedy Watts, will attend the University of Central Arkansas' radiology department.
“We both respect them,” Maddox Watts said.
The entire family works hard with pen and paper while encouraging each other on their educational journey.
“I never wanted to write papers again, or do paperwork, or read books just for the sake of reading books I didn’t know, but we actually did it, and we encouraged each other to do it.” '' Stephen Watts said.
When your kids come home from school, remember that you were also doing their homework.
“She was sitting on the couch and I was sitting in the recliner continuing to use my laptop,” Stephen Watts said.
