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Navy Homecoming At Ballston Spa High School Graduation
Arianna and Xavier Crowd. Photo provided.
BALLSTON SPA — Ballston Spa High School graduate, Arianna Crowd, received more than just her diploma at graduation this year. The graduation ceremony took place at Saratoga Performing Arts Center on June 21. An unsuspecting high school senior, Arianna Crowd, began to walk the stage to receive her diploma, only for her older brother to walk on stage and give it to her. The two last saw each other in September of 2017.
“I was very surprised and confused. I was pretty overwhelmed with lots of different emotions but when I saw him I completely forgot I was even on stage in front of that many people. My stage fright basically went away for that moment,” Arianna said.
Arianna’s brother, Xavier Crowd, a Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, has been deployed in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
“I had absolutely no idea I was going to see him. I didn’t know he was in the country; I still thought he was on his deployment,” Arianna said.
“I decided to surprise her a few months prior to returning to the United States... the planning took time, and calculating a lot of dates. I’m just so glad I could line the dates up,” Xavier said.
The moment has since gone viral and was covered nationally by CBS News, ABC News, and Good Morning America.
“I think it’s amazing how much this story is spreading. I never imagined it would gain so much attention. l also think it’s important that a story like this is circulating despite all of the negativity in mainstream media and lack of nice heartwarming stories,” Xavier said.
“I was just so happy I could make the day special for her; she looks up to me and I feel that being able to come home and surprise her had a big impact on her decisions in the future,” he added.
This summer you can find Arianna hiking, painting, and working. She plans to join the military and go to college, and hopes to become a holistic healer.
