A heartwarming and emotional moment unfolded at a graduation ceremony when a young girl walked across the stage to collect her late father’s degree.
The father, a Tongan man, had passed away just a couple of months before the ceremony, leaving his family to celebrate his academic achievement without him.
The university paid a beautiful tribute to the late student, showcasing a heartfelt video compilation of photos featuring him and his family. One particular photo stood out – a tender moment where he hugged his daughter.
As the video played, the girl, accompanied by a guardian, bravely walked across the stage to collect her father’s degree, receiving a warm standing ovation from the lecturers and the vice-chancellor.
A bystander, attending his mother’s graduation, couldn’t help but capture the poignant moment on camera. He shared the video on TikTok, captioning it with a heartfelt message about being moved to tears by the little girl’s bravery. The video quickly went viral, garnering almost half a million views and sparking an outpouring of sympathy and support for the family.
As the video spread, many viewers shared their own emotional responses and similar stories of loss and resilience. The event served as a reminder of the power of human connection and the impact of love and support during difficult times.
The community’s reaction underscored the significance of family, the importance of honouring loved ones, and the enduring legacy of those who have passed on.
@ilikutapu Came for my mum graduation and witnessed this heartbreaking moment 💔💔 The little girl in this video dad was supposed to graduate but he sadly passed last November, praying deeply for this family. #RIL🕊️ #graduation #prayers #flyhigh #proud #fyp ♬ original sound – Serenity Sola
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