Bixby Couple With 5 Children Go From High School Dropouts To College Graduates

A couple in Bixby just reached a big accomplishment together: earning a college degree. With five kids, they balanced family life and online classes to reach their goals.

Michael and Taria Richards are proud college graduates.

"It's something that I never thought I would achieve,” Michael said.

Michael now has a degree in Computer Science; Taria has a degree in Psychology.

"We both worked so hard to make it to where we could graduate together,” Taria said.

The couple graduated last weekend from Southern New Hampshire University. It was a first for both of them, to walk across a graduation stage.

"We're actually both high school dropouts,” Michael said. “So we both got our GEDs. So that's why this week, for graduation and going to New Hampshire was so important."

Taria said their children proved to be their biggest supporters while earning their degrees online at home.

"Anytime that we both had like major projects that needed to be done in the same week, the kids were super great. Like they were helpful with one another, or they would dive in and want to help cook dinner,” she said.

Michael will start his new job as a software developer on Monday. Taria was just offered a job with the state at DHS. She plans to get her Masters, then become a therapist.

"There's nothing that's going to stop us,” Taria said. “We are - we're taking it as far as we can. We want to give our kids the best opportunities and teach them how important education is."

From dropouts to graduates, and it is just the beginning.