Students always say they make friends for life while studying at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) – and there was no better example of that than when Jessica Hawley graduated this week.
Sachiko, Jessica, Geidy and Anastasia
Jessica had to postpone her studies and fly back to Cyprus to care for her mother who had been diagnosed with cancer.
Before her mother passed away, she told Jessica “finish your degree. Don’t make me an excuse”.
So, after two years away, Jessica took on the challenge of returning to DMU and graduated on Tuesday with a First in Video and Photography.
What she didn’t know was that three of her friends who had graduated in 2014 were waiting for her outside The Venue@DMU to present her with handfuls of celebratory balloons and shower her with confetti as well as hugs and kisses.
Proud Geidy Richard and Sachiko Pap had travelled up from London while Anastasia Yiasemi flew in from Cyprus for Jessica’s big day.
Jessica is overwhelmed by the surprise visit from her friends
A tearful Jessica, who screamed with delight when her friends appeared, had not seen her best pals for almost a year.
She said: “I am a bit hysterical actually and slightly in shock…and delighted too. These girls are like sisters to me. We all started our foundation degree together at DMU but I took three years out as a full-time carer to my mum - so it took a lot to come back.
“It’s been six years, but I did it.”
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Geidy, who previously graduated in Fashion Marketing, said: “We are best friends and this is what we do for each other. We celebrate the good times and help out when times are bad.”
Geidy sheds a tear after surprising Jessica with Sachiko
Sachiko, who graduated in Textile Design in 2014, added: “Geidy and I live together and have been planning this for some time. It is amazing how Jessica returned to DMU and completed her degree. We are so proud of her.”
Anastasia, who was flying back to Cyprus the next day, said: “Why did I do this? Well it’s Jess, isn’t it. Of course she is worth it. We all started together so we wanted to finish together too.”
Jessica’s aunty Kim Barnes, who took over as Jessica’s legal guardian with husband Alan, was also at the ceremony.
Kim said: “Her mum always said “finish for me. Do not make me an excuse”. It was so hard for Jessica to return to study. Not only did she do that but she also got a First. We are just so proud of her. Her story is very special to us all.”
Posted on Tuesday 19 July 2016