A high school graduate in Houston got a great surprise with her diploma – a visit from her soldier brother who’s been deployed for nearly two years!
Jasmine Barroga was graduating from Northside High School on June 2nd, her family gathered at Delmar Field House, and her brother Jd had the video rolling.
But as she approached the podium, Jasmine got a look at who would be announcing her name – her brother, Army Specialist DJ Barroga.
Jasmine cried when she saw her brother, who has been deployed for almost two years, and just made it to Houston from Hawaii in order to present the diploma.
As the graduation crowd cheered, and Jasmine cried, Specialist Barroga addressed the crowd, telling them how proud he is of his sister.
He ended his speech saying, ‘congratulations to the class of 2018, you guys will do great things, and just keep it going.’
The moment that Jasmine first got a glimpse of her brother at her graduation, she burst into tears
Jasmine (right) wipes away a tear as her brother, Army Specialist JD Barroga briefly addresses the graduation crowd.
Brother and sister share a big hug, their first since he was deployed nearly two years ago
Then he took his sister’s hand and they walked across the stage as the video camera rolled.
It took a lot of people to orchestrate the surprise. The family and the school worked together.
They decided to sneak DJ into the line dressed in a purple cap and gown, so he blended in with every other graduate. Then two teachers distracted Jasmine as she was waiting to hear her name called, so there would be no chance that she’d catch a glimpse of him
The pair pose with the principal and Jasmine’s diploma before making their way off the stage
Moments before Jasmine’s turn DJ stripped of the cap and gown, to reveal his uniform, and he was waiting for her when she got there.
It was a moment that nobody who was there will ever forget.
A very special graduation gift for Jasmine.