© 2025 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY
WEDW-FM · WNPR · WPKT · WRLI-FM
Public Files Contact · ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Dad Arranges For Special Graduation Ceremony For His Daughter

NOEL KING, HOST:

Most graduation ceremonies are canceled this year, which is a bummer for graduates like Gabrielle Pierce (ph), who majored in public health science at Xavier University in Louisiana. She was at home in Memphis when she learned that her commencement was called off.

GABRIELLE PIERCE: I was really devastated. I didn't think that COVID would still be going on around this time.

TORRENCE BURSON: She was sitting on the couch. I was in the kitchen. I looked over at her. She was crying. And as a father, I said, what is it can I do to try to ease some of this pain?

STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:

Her dad, Torrence Burson (ph), wanted her to have something.

BURSON: I had prayed about it. And I went to bed. And I woke up in a middle of the night. And I said, that's what I'm going to do. I'm going to bring the graduation to the driveway, so everybody can see.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

UNIDENTIFIED PEOPLE: Gabby (ph)...

INSKEEP: Burson sent out a mass text to the whole family. Gabrielle Pierce walked out her front door and saw almost 40 people.

PIERCE: I was thinking we had a couple people, like, some family to come out and then stand in front the garage or whatever. When I finally saw everything, I was just like a child Christmas morning. It's like I was that excited.

KING: There was a stage in the driveway. There were flowers and programs. Her aunt and her pastor gave speeches. And the neighbors watched from the sidewalk.

PIERCE: Everyone had a mask on. We kept our social distancing guidelines with 6 feet apart except for, you know, taking pictures.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

BURSON: We love you, Gabby.

UNIDENTIFIED PERSON: You better get that degree, girl.

INSKEEP: Needless to say, her dad is proud.

BURSON: She was an honor student. She was on the dean's list. And I know she worked so hard. What else can a father do to try to make this day special for her?

INSKEEP: Next, Gabrielle Pierce plans to enlist in the Army National Guard and go on to a career in epidemiology.

(SOUNDBITE OF SUNLIGHT ASCENDING'S "FOUR") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.