Most parents take an interest in whatever their children like, to encourage and support them through the tough times. One student had done the hard part and made it to graduation, but he was upset because it seemed as though his parents didn’t care enough to turn up.
The long road
It is a long road to graduation from elementary school for students. Most of us start out at kindergarten with big dreams, but the older we get, the quicker those dreams turn to the reality of life. We’re not all going to be exploring the surface of Mars, or running into burning buildings to save an old woman and her cat.
School is tough, and there are plenty of things that get in the way to distract you from studying your hardest. That’s why, when someone goes all the way through school and gets that graduation certificate at the end, it really is worth celebrating.
Always studying
Jeric Rivas lives in the Philippines and has always taken his school life very seriously. Even from as young as little kid, he was always doing his best in school and standing out from the crowd because of his academic accomplishments. He should have been the pride of his family home for everything he was doing at school, but it seems as though his parents didn’t care about his schoolwork.
Parents tend to take a keen interest in their children’s time at school because it most likely will directly affect how they live their lives after education. Kids need to learn the basics like reading and writing, but Rivas’ mind had advanced beyond such simple things.
A long history
Rivas made a social media post about his graduation and how he was sad that his parents didn’t turn up. He began his long post by sharing an event in his past involving his parents and disappointment. Rivas said he was in elementary school and had just gained an honor from his institution, but no matter where he looked, his parents were not there.
He was meant to be collecting a medal for all of the impressive work he had done, but Rivas said he was too embarrassed to get on the stage. The young man didn’t want to get up on stage because his parents were not there to congratulate his achievement.
History repeats itself
Later in Rivas’ school career he was receiving a similar medal, but this time he was in high school. He was the best student in his class that year and was expected to take a medal for being such a bright spark. This time Rivas had to accept another student’s medal because he claimed his parents had borrowed one from a classmate.
He was once again expecting to have his parents witness him being given a medal, just as all of his friends were doing. Parents and their kids would share the experience of the child’s academic accomplishments, but for Rivas, he always had to endure this alone. Did his parents just not care enough to see him do well?
Putting himself through college
The time came when Rivas had outgrown high school, and he was looking to go and study at college. This wasn’t going to be easy for the young man because his parents hadn’t really been showing an interest in his studies. If Rivas was going to go to college, he was going to have to get there on his own, so that’s what he did.
Rivas worked any job that would take him to pay for his college fees, and he was working round the clock trying to complete his degree. It seemed as though there was nothing that would stop Rivas from achieving his dreams, even if his parents weren’t that interested.
Bachelor of Science in Criminology
With so much potential, Rivas wanted to get into a field that really interested him, so he chose to study for a Bachelor of Science in Criminology. This wasn’t going to be easy, and the young student was going to have to work hard to graduate from his college.
Luckily for Rivas, hard work was something he had become familiar with, and he worked his socks off to get to graduation. The big day finally came, and Rivas was graduating, but would his parents show up?
A real disinterest
Rivas said that he was waiting for his name to be called at his graduation, and he was filled with emotions. When his name was finally called out, the young man claimed that he had to walk on his hands and knees to the stage to collect his certificate.
His parents once again hadn’t shown up, and Rivas couldn’t contain his disappointment. How could his parents not come to their own son’s graduation? This had been a huge effort, and Rivas had to do it all without his parents.
The only one
Just like all the other times in his academic lifetime, Rivas was celebrating his accomplishments without his parents. He had struggled to compose himself as he noticed all of the other students enjoying the end of their school lives with their parents.
This was meant to be one of the happiest days in Rivas’ life, but he couldn’t help but feel sad. It was bittersweet for Rivas because it was the first day of the rest of his life, but it had the familiar air of disappointment.
More struggles
Rivas continued his social media post and said how he has been struggling to find a job since graduation. He said he’s feeling like he did when he was a kid, and nobody wants him. Rivas has now decided he needs to move out of his parents’ home and find his own way in the world.
That might mean moving away from the region he grew up in, and ultimately Rivas might end up looking for work internationally.
The jobs he worked
When Rivas enrolled in college, he didn’t have enough money to pay his fees. It was something he felt he must do though, so he found whatever jobs he could to pay his way. Those jobs included working as a janitor, a student assistant in the school, and he even worked in fast food for a while.
All of those jobs had to be done at the same time Rivas was studying for a degree. It’s really quite impressive how his determination got him through the experience.
Excitement for the future
In his social media post, Rivas admitted that he was excited about his graduation ceremony. He said there were lots of smiling faces in the room that day. The next chapter in Rivas’ life was about to begin as he had to say goodbye to some of the classmates who helped him get through his years at college.
All around him were parents with their children, and this kept encouraging a little voice in Rivas’ head to speak up.
On his own
Rivas admitted to feeling sad when watching his classmates graduating. He said he felt the tears dripping down his face as the voice in his head told him those people were celebrating with their parents, while he was not.
Rivas was sad because he didn’t have a parent who was happy to bring him onto the stage to show him off for everything he had done at college. Instead his parents were nowhere to be seen; apparently this wasn’t a big enough occasion for them to join their son.
Coming to his aid
When it was time for Rivas to head up to the stage, he was overcome with sadness, and the tears were flowing from his eyes. He didn’t have any parents or relatives that could look on as he collected his diploma and be proud of him.
There was no sign of his parents, but some of Rivas’ teachers were on hand to help out their student in his time of need. If his parents wouldn’t accompany him to the stage, then his teachers were happy to fill in for them.
A loving embrace
Walking to the stage was a struggle for Rivas, but when he got there, he saw the face of one of his teachers. He claimed that he embraced one of his teachers on the stage as he could not stop the tears from coming.
Emotions were running high for Rivas on his graduation, but that wasn’t going to stop him from getting his degree. He had worked tirelessly for this piece of paper, and he wasn’t going to let disappointment get in the way now.
Not worrying about the shame
Rivas was crying in front of his classmates and their families, but that wasn’t going to stop him on his graduation day. He braved looking at the auditorium filled with people as he collected the piece of paper that gave him his Bachelor of Science in Criminology.
Rivas said he didn’t think about the shame of crying in front of everyone, it was an emotional moment, and he probably wasn’t the only one in tears. This was a big day for everyone in the room.
Some were proud
Although his parents weren’t there to tell him they were proud of him, there were still people at the graduation who felt pride in Rivas. The graduate said that some of his fellow students told him they were proud of him, which was something positive for him to take from the day.
Rivas wanted to thank all of his friends who came to his aid that day by telling him they were proud of him. By making a comment about it, it seems Rivas was delighted by their actions.
Thanks to his professors
It wasn’t just his classmates who helped Rivas through school, and his teachers were a big support, where apparently his parents were not. The young man thanked several of his professors who he claimed were like mothers to him.
He had a long list of teachers and college staff to thank for everything they did, and presumably he felt as though he couldn’t have graduated without them. Rivas even acknowledged the person he spent most of his lunchtimes with.
Not forgetting his friends
It wasn’t just the college faculty that Rivas wanted to thank, and he made a special mention of his close friends. Just like anyone at college, Rivas made connections, and he’ll probably be friends with the people he met for the rest of his life.
College friends see you at your worst and if you’re all still friends after the stresses of living and studying together then that bond won’t break. Rivas might not have been thinking about making friends at college, but it looks like he found some good ones.
Pride in himself
Rivas’ parents might not have been showing him that they were proud of their son, but the graduate wasn’t afraid to show pride in himself. He posted to his social media page that he was the first person in his family to graduate, and he had the power to study.
It really meant a lot to Rivas to finish school, and all of that hard work had paid off for him. Now it was time to go off into the world and set up a life for himself.
Pushy parents
Often the problem for talented kids is that their parents are a little bit too pushy when it comes to encouraging their child’s skills. This attitude can be detrimental to the child as there is a ton of pressure on them from an early age.
We all look up to our parents when we’re small, and if they begin demanding lots from us, that can be stressful. Children should be encouraged to do things, but not pressured into it by their parents.
A word for his parents
Toward the end of Rivas’ social media post, he had some words for his parents. He said that now it’s his job to look after himself after they had given birth to him. Rivas was now a graduate, and that meant he was an adult who had to take control of his own destiny.
By the sound of things, Rivas has been in control of his own life from a very young age, and it was his determination that took him all the way through school.
Signing off
The graduate signed himself off as Jeric R. Rivas, a graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology. His last three words were “Proud working student,” and all of the tears that went into his studies were worth it.
The graduate could leave college with his head held high knowing that he did everything possible, without help from his parents, to graduate. He had really made something of his life and had come through some bitter disappointments as a kid.
Going viral
Of course stories like this tend to gain quite the audience and Jeric’s is no different. The story that has such a feel good aspect but also a heartbreaking one all but took over the internet. Jeric’s story went viral and it is still spreading weeks later.
People cannot stop talking about the guy who never gave up and went through college all on his own without the support of his parents. Everyone is proud of him and can’t wait to see what he does next.
Humbled by the reaction
Jeric is completely shocked by all the traffic and buzz his story has created. He is humbled by the fact that people have taken interest in him and what he had to say.
The graduate has even been sharing different posts from various sites and news outlets thanking them for sharing his story and for believing in him. He probably never expected his Facebook post to spread so far. It has been translated to various languages and has been displayed in many different outlets.
Others’ responses
People reached out in an outpour of responses to Jeric’s story. They would explain how he should be proud of himself no matter what and how great it was that he achieved his goal of graduating from college.
There were so many positive reactions that Jeric was overwhelmed by it all. He couldn’t believe that his one post had reached so many people and that they were all sending such kind and encouraging messages. His parents may not have been there for him, but he was now getting support from total strangers.
Where were his parents?
One thing that Jeric never fully explains in his post is why his parents never supported him throughout his education or showed up to any of his award ceremonies and graduations. Perhaps since they did not choose to study, they do not see it as a priority and feel it isn’t worth wasting time and money on.
Either way, at least Jeric is still close with his other members of his family who are there to support him. He is grateful that they are proud of him for his accomplishments. The rest of his family hosted a joint 24th birthday and graduation party to show how much they care about him – graduation was the same day as Jeric’s birthday,
Birthday boy
Yes, you read that correctly. Jeric’s family hosted him a joint birthday and graduation party. This probably means that his birthday was right around the same time as his graduation.
His parent’s probably did not need to get him a single gift for his 24th birthday; they probably could have just shown up at his graduation and that would have been all he wanted and more. Unfortunately, they couldn’t even give him that as a gift.
Loving grandparents
While he clearly does not have the closest nor the best relationship with his parents, Jeric seems to care a lot about his grandparents. He posted a heartfelt caption to a photo of them on his social media accounts.
The post was wishing his beloved grandmother a very happy Mother’s Day. People thought that it was sweet that he did this and only wished that his own mother had cared enough about her son to make him rush to post about her.
Future lawyer
Well, though he has had to make his journey through education without his parents’ support, that doesn’t mean he ever just gave up. Jeric plans to continue his path and stay strong, hoping to achieve his dreams and goals – even if he has to do it alone.
The young man has high hopes of being a lawyer in his future and it sure doesn’t seem like there will be much stopping him. He will continue to work hard and hold his head up high.
Future police officer
It looks like when you’re as bright as Jeric, you could have any future you set your mind to. While it currently looks like he is headed in the direction of becoming a lawyer, this isn’t the only career option he has considered.
He has also looked into becoming a police officer. Whatever Jeric decides he wants to do, we’re sure he will be successful at it. The world would probably be lucky to have him as either a lawyer or a police officer.
An inspiration
People have called Jeric an inspiration. Many out there do not even graduate high school let alone college. This can often be because they don’t have a proper support system to get them through.
Jeric was in that situation, but he mustered through and made it, encouraging people everywhere to follow his lead. Others have also related to his post because they’ve also had parents miss their graduations. They have said they don’t feel as alone knowing they’re not the only ones.
Simple
Jeric describes himself as “simple” on one of his social media accounts. While he doesn’t exactly explain what this means, we have a feeling things in his life are far from simple.
He went on to accomplish something amazing and it could not have been easy. He also had to do this without the support of his parents. And now he is out there making something of himself and inspiring others to do the same.
