Sabay na nag-graduate ang mag-inang Brandi Fields, 50, at Kyle, 22, sa Texas Christian University noong May 10, 2025.
Ang TCU ay isang private university na nasa Fort Worth, Texas sa U.S.
Ang pambihirang okasyong ito para sa mag-ina ay iniulat ng official website ng TCU noong May 6.
Pareho silang tumanggap ng graduate diploma sa pinakaunang commencement ceremony ng naturang university na para lang sa graduate school students.
Ayon kay Brandi, nang malaman niyang sabay ang graduation nila ni Kyle ay hindi siya makapaniwala.
“When we found out the graduate programs were in the same ceremony, that’s when it really hit home that we were going to really, truly be doing this together.”
Natamo ni Brandi ang kanyang executive master’s degree in business administration, habang si Kyle ay tumanggap ng kanyang master’s in liberal arts.
Pagbabalik-tanaw ni Kyle, “When she was deciding to come back to school—especially at TCU—I couldn’t be more excited.”
Una nagtapos si Kyle ng Bachelor in Communication Studies sa TCU noong 2023 bago nag-masteral.
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MOM INSPIRES SON WITH HER STUDYING HABITS
Naninirahan ang pamilya ni Brandi sa California nang magsimulang mag-aral si Kyle sa TCU.
Nang pumanaw ang ina ni Brandi noong 2020, napagkasunduan niya at ng kanyang asawa na lumipat sa Texas para mapalapit sa kanilang anak.
May isang kapatid na lalaki si Kyle.
Ani Brandi, nang magdesisyon siyang magbalik sa pag-aaral, inisip ng kanyang mga kaibigan na baka hindi magustuhan ni Kyle ang kanyang plano.
“I think more of my friends were like, ‘Oh no, Kyle is going to kill you.
“First, you’re moving there, now you’re going to his school.'”
Ngunit nagkamali ng akala ang kanyang mga kaibigan.
Sa katunayan, na-inspire lalo si Kyle na pagbutihin ang pag-aaral.
Pahayag ng binata, kapag nakikita niya ang inang inaasikaso ang mga lectures sa school pagkagaling sa trabaho, ang pumapasok sa isipan niya, “I’ve got to follow in her footsteps.”
Ganito rin ang naging pakiramdam ni Brandi.
Nakikita umano niya na seryoso si Kyle sa adulting phase ng buhay nito.
Masaya rin siyang sabay silang nag-aaral ng anak sa iisang unibersidad.
“So, it made me even more proud to be able to experience this part of it.”
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MOM AND SON SUPPORT EACH OTHER THROUGH STRICT DEADLINES
Isang working mom si Brandi.
Umaasa siyang ma-inspire sa kanyang kuwento ang ibang working moms—na hindi dapat tumitigil sa pag-abot sa pangarap.
Aniya, importanteng ang mga nanay ay patuloy na alagaan at challenge ang sarili—at patuloy na mag-grow sa career.
“So, I would say just do it, you know?”
Proud naman siya sa naging joint accomplishment nila ni Kyle.
Aniya, hindi lahat ng anak ay magkakaroon ng pagkakataong ipagmalaki na nakapag-aral ito kasabay ang ina.
Susog ni Kyle, “Especially at a master’s degree level.”
Dagdag ni Brandi, “Sharing this moment with my son is something I never imagined.
“We’ve supported each other through late nights and strict deadlines.
“To walk the stage together, especially on Mother’s Day weekend, is an incredible and meaningful moment for our family.”
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WHAT’S NEXT FOR MOM AND SON
Habang nag-aaral, nagtatrabaho si Kyle bilang equipment manager para sa TCU Athletics.
Ngayong May 2025, nasungkit ng TCU Women’s Beach Volleyball team ang first-ever national championship nito.
Bahagi si Kyle ng kampeonato.
“My responsibilities involve all of their equipment and apparel needs. I do the ordering, budgeting, forecasting for anything the teams need.
“I also manage their inventory, practice and game day set up, laundry and apparel maintenance and working with different vendors.”
Aminado siyang mahirap ang kanyang trabaho.
“It was a demanding role with lots of moving parts, but seeing the team win a national championship made it all worth it.”
Masaya niyang sambit, “It’s an unforgettable way to finish my college career.”
Kahit naman pagod sa trabaho, hindi siya nagpabaya sa pag-aaral.
“There were days I’d put in 12 hours at work and still have to focus on assignments.”
Nakatulong aniya ang pagiging flexible ng MLA program.
“Especially being online really helped me stay on track and keep pushing forward.”
At dahil mahilig sa sports, may malaking plano si Kyle para sa kanyang career.
“After graduation, I want to continue to work in the sports industry.”
Ang ultimate goal niya ay makapagtrabaho sa isang sikat na shoe company.
Para naman kay Brandi, isang malaking challenge para sa kanya ang magbalik sa pag-aaral lalo pa at may trabaho siya.
“But learning alongside experienced professionals from diverse backgrounds made it incredibly rewarding.
“The insights I gained from both professors and peers were invaluable.”
At malaking tulong umano iyon para sa kanyang career advancement sa kumpanyang pinaglilingkuran.
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