SOSU grad holds commencement ceremony in her driveway

Avery Reed should have been walking across the stage at Southeastern in front of thousands of people, including her friends and family. But because of to COVID-19, that ceremony in a packed basketball arena didn't get to happen.

"When it started getting closer to the date that it was supposed to happen I was like 'wow, I really wish I could be getting ready for this and showing my whole family I had graduated and I worked hard for this," said Reed.

Instead, her commencement commenced from her driveway.

Reed knew she was having a celebration with her family when she came home from work, but when she got home she was told to stay in her room for an hour.

"While I'm in my room I just hear hammers, and a piano playing. No one in my family can play the piano either so that was really weird," said Reed.

She was asked to put on her cap and gown, and to her surprise, she was sitting in front of her family, with all eyes on the graduate.

"I was so embarrassed, because I hate doing stuff like that in front of people, but at the same time I was grateful," said Reed.

Her father gave the address, and her fiancee performed the ceremonial handing of the diploma.

Avery left the driveway an SOSU grad.

Not the graduation ceremony she thought would happen, but Reed says she wouldn't have it any other way.

"It was better to do it with family and much shorter. Thank you to everyone being here and helping me get through this," said Reed.