Amidst the multitude of graduating students this spring, Kanett Haynes, a mother from South Carolina, will proudly celebrate the achievements of all four of her children as they participate in their respective commencement ceremonies.
“I’m extremely proud of them,” Haynes told “Good Morning America.” “Each of them has worked very hard to get where they are and I’m just elated to have had the opportunity to help them along the way.”
In 2007, Haynes and her husband made a bold decision to move their family from Florida to South Carolina in order to provide their children with better opportunities and an improved quality of life, despite their eventual separation.
“We decided that maybe we should move out of the state and try to buy a home for them and give them better opportunities and a little bit more freedom and less congestion,” Haynes said.
Upon arriving in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the family of six swiftly settled in. Haynes recollects that within a week, both she and her husband secured jobs and found an apartment. Presently, they consider Roebuck, South Carolina, as their home, and Haynes happily notes that all of her children have found their rhythm and flourished in school.
“The children got opportunities that they probably would not have gotten where we were living in Florida … different growth opportunities, different leadership opportunities,” Haynes said. “The blessings just fell on them.”
According to Haynes’ oldest son, Xzavier Killings, the move to South Carolina opened up new opportunities for him, including the chance to play middle school football, something that wasn’t possible in Florida where he had to wait until high school. He was also able to participate in basketball and track, which ultimately led to him receiving an athletic scholarship to continue playing sports in college.
At the age of 29, Killings is on the verge of accomplishing another significant milestone: graduating from medical school at the esteemed Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston on May 20. As he reflects on this achievement, the aspiring pediatrician expresses a sense of awe and gratitude.
He acknowledges the invaluable role his mother played in instilling the values of hard work and perseverance in their upbringing. Killings emphasizes the importance of experiencing the journey alongside his siblings, navigating through adversity, including the challenges posed by the pandemic, and maintaining the resilience necessary to forge ahead. This accomplishment holds a deep significance not only for him but also for his family.
Following in her brother’s footsteps, Charity Haynes recently celebrated a major accomplishment. Last Thursday, she graduated from Spartanburg Community College with an associate’s degree in nursing.
Looking towards the future, the 23-year-old aspiring pediatric nurse expresses a great sense of fulfillment and excitement. After putting in immense effort and dedication, she feels a deep satisfaction as her hard work finally pays off. Charity is eagerly anticipating the next chapter of her journey in the healthcare field.
Joining in the excitement, Harmony, Haynes’ younger sister, shares her enthusiasm. Recently graduating with an associate’s degree in biology from SCC, the 21-year-old expresses her anticipation for a promising future.
She looks forward to embarking on an intriguing journey ahead, noting that she plans to transfer to the University of South Carolina Upstate to pursue a bachelor’s degree in science. Harmony is eager to continue her educational pursuit and broaden her knowledge in the field.
Jimmy Haynes, the youngest of the siblings at 18, is also set to graduate high school and begin studying mechatronics at SCC in the upcoming fall. Despite being the youngest, he is just as accomplished as his siblings.
The Haynes family plans to reunite for a celebratory party after Xzavier Killings’ graduation in two weeks. The gathering will be a chance for the family to come together and recognize the hard work and achievements of all four of the siblings. After the party, Xzavier will leave for his residency program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in June.
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