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In a heartwarming tale from Georgia, a 72-year-old College Graduate recently celebrated his college achievement made even more special by the presence of his proud, 99-year-old mother.

Sam Kaplan of Lawrenceville decided to embark on his educational journey at Georgia Gwinnett College in 2019, half a century after he had initially opted not to pursue higher education following his high school graduation in 1969. The catalyst for his return to academia came when he heard a radio announcement about a degree program in cinema studies.

College Achievement to Screen Play Writer

Recalling that moment, Kaplan said, “I was driving down the highway when I heard about the degree program. The next exit led to Collinsville, so I promptly exited, and within five minutes, I was enrolling in classes. I’ve always had a passion for writing and storytelling. I aspired to transform my narratives into screenplays, but I realized I needed the foundational knowledge to do so.”

Kaplan admitted that the journey was a mix of anxiety and excitement, but it proved to be profoundly rewarding. He graduated with a 3.975 grade point average and summa cum laude honors, majoring in cinema and media arts, and has aspirations to continue crafting screenplays in the future.

“It was an exciting and nerve-wracking challenge. Reacquainting myself with the art of studying and engaging with fellow students was a lot of fun,” he told FOX 5 Atlanta.

99-year-old Parent watches College Achievement

The most poignant aspect of Kaplan’s graduation day was the presence of his mother, 99-year-old Virginia Kaplan, during the ceremony.

Virginia expressed her immense pride, saying, “I am so proud of him. He faced numerous challenges but persevered, and I am delighted, pleased, and incredibly proud.”

The jubilant mother also added, “With his new degree, he’s going to excel in whatever he does. Who knows, I might even make an appearance in the movies.”

Watch the video below.