Chapter 215 Graduation Ceremony

It was Friday, the day before Jonathan's graduation ceremony. Mark and his family were at the Anthony mansion. His wife, Victoria, was seven months pregnant. She was resting on the bed with Rafael and Gabriel sitting next to her. They became fascinated when they saw their baby sister kicking their mother. They put their little hands on their mother's stomach and giggled when she kicked them. The Anthony family went to do a 3D Ultrasound scan to see the gender of the baby. They were over the moon when they found that it was a girl. Grandpa Anthony named her after his late wife, Kimberly. The boys were looking forward to meeting their baby sister.

The mansion was lively, the White family, Johnson family and Fish family were laughing in the living room. They came to celebrate Jonathan's Graduation Ceremony. The Anthony family was over the moon. No one knew that Jonathan would ever achieve anything. He proved everyone wrong. His friends were reminded of the day when he told them that he would turn over a new leaf and he would work hard. The fruit of his hard work was evident. His father invited his friends and business partners to celebrate Jonathan's achievement. They decided to have a graduation party at His Glory hotel at 2 pm. Those who couldn't attend the graduation ceremony promised to attend the graduation party. The university was not strict, the graduands were allowed to bring as many as they wished with them.

On Saturday morning, the weather was sunny. It was as if it was waiting to see Jonathan's big day. The Faculty of Business and Economics Sciences was holding its graduation ceremony at 9 am and 2 pm. However, the Marketing department graduation was scheduled for 9 am. Jonathan was wearing a navy blue three-piece custom-made suit. It was designed by his brother. He was dashing. He was carrying his graduation attire in his arm. The twins approached him smiling and asked, "Uncle Jonathan, are you going to wear this black coat? Is it cold in your school?" Uncle Jonathan smiled at his cute nephews and replied, "This is the graduation gown. When you finish your kindergarten education, your high school education and your university education you will wear this gown as well." The twins smiled brightly at him. Gabriel was fascinated by the mortarboard tassel. He was playing with it. Victoria walked to them smiling and said, "You look so handsome, brother in law and I am proud of you." Jonathan smiled and thanked his sister-in-law. Victoria was so happy for him. She looked at her sons and said, "Let's go and help Daddy to dress up." The twins giggled and rushed to the bedroom to help their father. Victoria followed them behind slowly.

At 7:30, the Anthony family and their friends went to the university. When they arrived at the university, they met the Gcwabe family in the parking lot waiting for them. Bongiwe couldn't miss this day; Jonathan was like a son to her. It was a pity that her best friend, Grace was locked in prison. She hugged Jonathan and said, "I am so proud of you. I wish your mother is here with us." Jonathan smiled and thanked her. He knew deep in his heart that if his mother didn't divorce his father he wouldn't have achieved anything. He thanked the Lord for his sister-in-law, Victoria.

A lot of graduands were already there wearing their black gowns. Their parents were grinning from ear to ear. At 8:30 the doors were opened. The parents went to the balcony and the graduands were seated in allocated seats to ensure that they crossed the stage in the correct order. The Graduands and Diplomates as well as the parents stood up when the academic procession entered the hall. The university Chancellor welcomed the Graduands, Diplomates and their parents. Thereafter, the Guest speaker addressed the Graduands and Diplomates. Then the presentation of Graduands and Diplomates began.

When it was Jonathan's turn, he walked onto the stage. He left his mortarboard on his seat. He carried the card with his name and the neckband was on his left arm. He handed his card to the Faculty Dean smiling, and then she announced his name, "Mr Jonathan Anthony, Bachelor's degree in Marketing Management, Cum Laude." Fellow Graduands stood on their feet and clapped their hands. The Anthony family and friends were ululating and clapping their hands. Then he walked to the Chancellor. He knelt with his right knee upon the stool. He conferred the degree, and then the Chancellor capped him. He proceeded to the Vice Chancellor and handed him the neckband. Then Jonathan turned and faced the congregation. The Vice Chancellor draped the neckband over his shoulders. He smiled brightly at the photographer when he was taking his photo. When he was leaving the stage, he looked at his family and smiled broadly at them. He collected his certificate then he returned to his seat. Two hours later, the Chancellor dissolved the congregation and then the academic procession left the graduation hall, followed by the Graduates and the Diplomates.

Then the parents left the graduation venue. Jonathan went to his family smiling. They congratulated him on his achievement. His father hugged him and said, "Son, I am proud of you." Jonathan's eyes became red, and then he hugged his father back. The photographer who was arranged by the Anthony family took a lot of photos.

Mr Anthony reminded everyone about the Graduation Party at His Glory hotel which would start at 2 pm. Since it was 12 pm they decided to go straight to the hotel. The hotel manager was waiting for them by the door, and then he took them to their venue. The Anthony family had booked a conference room. It was lavishly decorated; the theme was gold and black. Jonathan asked his siblings to wear their graduation attires and to sit with him. When his father saw his family sitting beside Jonathan he became emotional. He walked to his daughter in love smiling and kissed her on both cheeks, "Thank you so much my daughter in love from the bottom of my heart. If it had not been for your encouragement I don't have doubt in my mind that my son would have not achieved what he has achieved today." Victoria smiled at her father-in-law. Then he hugged his elder son, Mark, and said, "Thank you Son for choosing well. Your wife touched our hearts deeply." Mark hugged his father smiling and replied, "Thank you, Dad. Jonathan did very well."

The graduation party began at 2 pm. Guests placed the gifts on the provided table. Mr Anthony had invited his friend, Professor Bheki Gcwabe as the Guest speaker. He looked at Mr Anthony smiling and said, "Timothy, I am honored to be invited on this auspicious occasion to celebrate Jonathan's achievement. We are grateful to the Lord for allowing this day to happen. Timothy, you did a great job molding and shaping this young man. Congratulations on your achievement and on finishing the race, Jonathan. I know it wasn't easy to study and work at the same time but you managed to pass with flying colors. I am so proud of you." Then he sat down. Guests clapped their hands and said to Jonathan, "Speech, speech, speech." He smiled brightly and said, "I would like to take this opportunity to thank my family for support. To my beautiful sister-in-law, I don't have words to express my gratitude and how much I appreciate your motivation and support. I never thought that I would ever achieve anything in life. You have changed my life completely. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." Then he sat down. He had tears in his eyes. Mark hugged him and patted his shoulder. The hotel manager and the waiters brought food and drinks into the conference room. It was a wonderful day. The Lord had done great things for the Anthony family and they were grateful. Tamara posted Jonathan's speech on the internet and it went viral. When Grace saw her son's achievement she was over the moon. She wished that she had been there to witness it. Her heart became bitter.