Opinion: The viral TikTok that captures the true meaning of graduation success

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A young mother, laptop open, bouncing her infant on her lap during a late-night study session,  and a young father in a cap and gown, cradling his baby in one arm as he walks across the graduation stage, made waves on social media. These images, one from the viral account of Riho and Keali'iholo'okoa Maruyama and the other from a viral commencement ceremony moment resonated with us because they offered hope, hope that people like us can overcome complex challenges, and maybe we can, too. When life throws curveballs, we can face unexpected obstacles and uncover surprising strength, new friendships, support, and resilience.

The Maruyamas didn’t plan to have a baby during their senior year. Many in their situation might have chosen a different path and put their education on hold. Instead, in courage they pressed on. Their TikTok reveals what made that possible: friends stepping in to help with child care, classmates cheering them on, church members bringing meals, and relatives lending a hand. The generosity and commitment of their community made a real difference: people who showed up offered time and shared burdens so the Maruyamas could keep moving forward.

It’s a powerful example of what can happen when a community rallies around a family. While the Maruyamas received crucial support,the community also benefited from strengthening bonds, finding joy in helping, and creating lasting connections. Supporting the couple wasn’t just a one-way act; it enriched everyone involved. At the same time, it’s important to recognize that not everyone has this kind of network. Support like this doesn’t always come easily, and for many, building or finding community can be complicated or even out of reach.

The dad, Jean-Paul Al Arab, carrying his baby across the graduation stage, became a viral symbol of student parent resilience. Beyond the campus protocol incident this moment sparked, what stood out was his commitment to both his child and his education. Like the Maruyamas, his journey involved sacrifices and challenges. His story, and those of countless student parents, reminds us that  perseverance and love are always worth celebrating.

While every student parent’s journey is unique, many share the challenge of balancing academic goals with the demands of raising a child, often without a clear or consistent support system. Communities of encouragement and help make a huge difference, and yet many face these milestones with far less support. Regardless of their circumstances, student parents demonstrate remarkable strength and perseverance as they pursue their education, and are worth celebrating.

For the Maruyamas, support didn’t come from grand programs or expensive interventions but from people showing up for one another in everyday ways. Their story is a testament to the impact of community and how encouragement, practical help, and shared burdens can make all the difference.

Research, including the recent Global Flourishing Study , a major longitudinal project by Harvard’s Human Flourishing Program and Baylor’s Institute for Studies of Religion in partnership with Gallup and the Center for Open Science, demonstrates that social connection is essential not only for our well-being and our ability to thrive. The U.S. Surgeon General recently called it an epidemic with serious health consequences. The need for connection is universal, but it’s often built through decision at a time, one person at a time.

Not everyone has access to this kind of support. That’s reality, and it deserves acknowledgment. However, stories like the Maruyamas’ remind us that sometimes, support can grow from simple openness — reaching out, saying yes to help, and offering it in return. The most significant barrier isn't always a lack of resources; it can also be the pressure to do everything independently. Even the smallest gestures, such as offering encouragement, sharing a meal, offering to babysit, or lending a listening ear, can make a significant difference. Why do alone what you can do together?

If you’re feeling isolated, please know many people feel just like you do. Sometimes, reaching out, no matter how small the gesture, can help lighten the load. And if you’re in a place to offer support, even a simple check-in or kind word can mean more than you might realize. The connections we build, however modest, communicate that we matter. As graduation season comes to a close and new chapters begin, let's celebrate the many ways people find strength through community, perseverance, or simply doing their best in challenging times.

Chris Whitford is the CEO and founding member of Avail , a nonprofit providing compassionate, confidential care to women and their partners facing unintended pregnancies. Avail is a national organization that serves clients in Connecticut, nationally, internationally.