PEMBROKE – Fifteen seconds. On a sweltering North Carolina day in early May, fifteen seconds is all it took for two members of the Hurd family to become college graduates. But this wasn't your ordinary sibling graduation. In fact, it was anything other than ordinary.

When UNC Pembroke soccer player Alexis Hurd walked across the stage to earn her degree in criminal justice and sociology, she became the first person in her immediate family to graduate from college. Right on the heels of Alexis was her mother, Princesa Hurd, who earned her degree in sociology with a minor in criminal justice.

The journey began in the summer of 2014 when Alexis was recruited by UNCP head coach Lars Andersson to play soccer in Pembroke.

"He was so nice and really represented the school well," she recalls. "Soccer was part of the reason that I decided to attend UNCP, but other friends that attended and the size of the school also played a factor in my decision."

With Alexis headed to Pembroke in August of 2014, Princesa started to kick around the idea of finally pursuing a college degree as well.

"I've always wanted to pursue a degree after high school, but it wasn't possible for my family financially," Princesa said. "A year after high school I got married to my high-school sweetheart and we had to relocate because he was in the military. Then we had Alexis so I threw my focus to her and later to our other two children."

With one of her three kids now headed to college, the timing was never better. But first, Princesa needed to run the idea by Alexis. After all, attending college with your mother isn't the dream for most teenagers.

"When my mom first asked me about her attending UNCP, she thought that I wouldn't like it," Alexis remarked. "I was actually super proud and excited that she wanted to go back to school. I knew she always wanted to, but she never had the time. I knew she would love the classes and professors, so I encouraged her to enroll."

"I brought the idea up to Alexis and she was so supportive," Princesa added. "Alexis has always been one of my biggest supporters because she knew how I always talked about going back one day."

During their time at UNCP, mother and daughter leaned on each for support on multiple occasions and were always looking out for one another.

"When it came to school work, I went to her for thoughts more than she came to me," Princesa recalled. "She did help me a lot with choosing classes because she knew which classes and professors I would enjoy. Taking courses at the same time as her led to some great educational discussions. Alexis has a great thought process and I always valued her ideas and recommendations."

"I was always there to help her choose professors and classes," Alexis said. "We would also help each other by discussing topics that we were learning about. Sometimes we would have different opinions and it would show us both a new perspective. We were always teaching each other and discussing school work because of our shared interest in the field."

But it wasn't just in school work that Alexis turned to her mother for assistance. When the life of being a student-athlete began to wear on her, Alexis had her emotional support right there alongside her.

"I looked to my mom for emotional support," Alexis added. "If I felt like I was taking on too much with soccer and school, then I would call her. My mom always answered her phone for my breakdowns and would give me a push in the right direction."

On the pitch, Alexis appeared in 26 games in the Black & Gold and played over 1,704 minutes as a defender. She fired two shots-on-goal from the back line and scored her lone goal on Sept. 21, 2014 as a freshman against Emmanuel.

"Being on the soccer team at UNCP provided me with lifelong friends that I consider family," she said. "Being an athlete gave me a community to be a part of and I am forever grateful for that."
With her final season on the pitch coming to a close, the Braves rattled off three-straight 1-0 victories to win the program's first Peach Belt Conference Tournament Title.

"That was definitely my favorite moment at UNCP," Alexis recalled. "We were playing one of the top teams in the conference (No. 10 Columbus State) and proved we deserved to be among the best. When we returned to campus, there was a bunch of students and faculty there to welcome us back and congratulate us on the championship. It felt like we had more than a school behind us. It felt more like a family. It was a really special way to end my senior season."

As memorable as the league title and welcome back party were, the morning of May 5 had all the makings to rival the importance and significance of that day six months in the past.

"To tell the truth, walking across the stage with Alexis was all her doing," Princesa said. "I was just going to skip it because I wanted the limelight to be on her. She is the first one in our family to achieve so much and I did not want to take that away from her.

"Alexis came to me with the idea when I started school and I kind of blew it off not thinking we would end at the same time. But when we realized we could graduate together, Alexis said me walking behind her would be my graduation gift to her. She got me my cap and gown and even surprised me by decorating my cap and getting me the UNCP diploma frame. She is a great mom supporter!"

Once those fifteen seconds had passed on May 5, the mother and daughter duo knew the importance of the momentous occasion.

"Walking across the stage in front of my mom was a special moment that I will always remember," Alexis said. "It was special for her to be the first person I saw and hugged after graduation. I'm glad I encouraged her to share the moment with me because she helped me get to where I am today."

Princesa shares that same sentiment.

"I am so glad Alexis made me walk," she added. "I can't explain how proud I was being able to sit next to her during the ceremony. Alexis amazes me with the things she has accomplished at UNCP and for me to be able to enjoy the day with her so closely will always be one of the best days of my life."

Both sides of the relationship know the task would have been much more daunting without the other person alongside during the journey.

"I am so proud of my mom for completing this journey with me," Alexis concluded. "Being able to watch her hard work pay off is the most motivating thing in the world. She inspires me to be my best self and never give up. I appreciate everything she has done for our family!"

"I hope us walking together will show other parents that it is never too late to achieve your dream," Princesa added. "And sometimes having your child there with you will keep you motivated. Alexis made me so proud and I am honored to have shared the stage with her."

The man who kick started this journey with Alexis' recruitment four years ago has had a front row seat to watch it come full circle.

"What an incredible story of motivation and perseverance," Andersson said. "To see a mother and daughter walk across the stage together on Commencement Day is truly awe-inspiring. This achievement could not have happened to two better people and I wish them both the best of luck in all future endeavors."