Oklahoma Mom, Son Celebrate Graduation Together

Tara Vreeland, News On 6

PRETTY WATER, Oklahoma -- A mom in Pretty Water says graduating from college is one of her biggest achievements, but when it came to the graduation ceremony, there was just one thing that could stop her from attending. And it did.

The class of 2023 grinned from ear to ear for their graduation ceremony. Proudly marching across the gymnasium floor was kindergartner Nolan Dickerson.

Holding his hand was his mother Jessica Dickerson, also in a graduation cap and gown.

Dickerson is receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from NSU. She learned that her son's graduation was on the same day as her college graduation.

"I guess it's a mother thing. You are always going to choose your child over yourself," she said.

"To see Nolan and his mom walk down like that. To see Nolan attend to it and pay attention and be happy and focus on what he's doing with his mom, he was so excited," said Jamie Stika, Nolan's teacher.

Dickerson says being there for her son was more important.  Nolan has Fragile X Syndrome, a type of autism. She says walking with him, hand in hand, shows how far they have come together.

"It's the hardest thing that I've ever done in my entire life, raising him," she said. "But it's also the most rewarding thing I've ever experienced."

When they grow up, some of the kids said they wanted to be race car drivers, veterinarians, even President.

Nolan says he wants to be Buzz Lightyear. His mom says she wants to be happy.