Laney High School graduate reunited with her sisters after 3 years
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Who doesn’t love a good graduation surprise?
On Friday, as one Laney high schooler received a diploma, she also got not one or two but three hugs from people she didn’t think could make it.
It’s no secret Augusta has a legacy of service to one’s country,
But what is a secret - are the three service women behind the curtain at Lucy Laney High School’s graduation.
Liz: “She got to know they’re here.”
Mom: “No, she actually don’t.”
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Mom: “They left their phone’s location on. That’s the best thing about an iPhone. They left it on their iPad, so she can’t track them.
Shynetta Briggs led the secret mission to unite her three eldest daughters with their baby sister at her graduation Friday.
Mom: “2022 was the last time everyone was united together.”
Mom: “The relationship with them is closer than gorilla glue. How Gorilla Sticks to something, that is their bond.”
The sisters made the surprise trip from three different army bases around the country, arriving Thursday night to surprise their baby sister, 16-year-old honor student Leaunna Briggs.
She is following in her sisters’ footsteps and continuing Augusta’s legacy of service to one’s country.
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Liz: “So this will be how many kids out of six in the military?”
Mom: “This will be five.”
“No matter where they go, they keep each other location, they call each other.”
“Today, my baby girl is graduating.”
“I’m very excited .”
Specialist Makala Porter, Fort Riley, Kansas: “When she starts her journey, she takes everything the wisdom they have given her, the people she going to meet, and stuff she is going to learn, keep an open mind.”
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Jaleyn Thomas, Fort Stewart : “Whatever the world throws at her, she’s got me, I promise you.”
Specialist Karistaisa Brown, El Paso: “I went first, then everyone followed .”
Mom: “I don’t have the words to explain about the foundation I have laid for them.”
“I can’t believe I raised a group of kids that actually follow each other into a successful career.”
Leaunna will receive her military order in July, but has to wait until she turns 17 for basic training.
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