Jada Hargrove, 23, graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University's School of Nursing on May 9, crossing the stage to cheers with her four-month-old son, Elias, in her arms. Her graduation marked the end of a remarkable journey—balancing nursing school, two jobs, military service, and a high-risk pregnancy. Jada joined the program in 2021 after Virginia Army National Guard training and discovered she was pregnant in her junior year. She timed her induced birth after finals, calling Elias her “final exam.” Supported by her family and Elias’ father, Jada endured sleepless nights and 12-hour shifts—making it only right that her son shared her moment of triumph.
