Key facts
- A sister serving overseas surprised her graduating brother by delivering his diploma.
- The surprise occurred at Milwaukee Lutheran High School in Wisconsin.
- The sister, Mauriana, coordinated the surprise with the school.
- The brother, Kalen Barksdale, initially felt embarrassed by the pause in the ceremony.
- The reunion was captured and has reached millions online.
During a graduation ceremony at Milwaukee Lutheran High School, Kalen Barksdale was initially dismayed when a school official indicated his diploma was missing as he approached the stage. This was a setup for a surprise: his sister, Mauriana, who had been serving overseas, emerged to present him with his diploma. The emotional reunion, facilitated by the school, has resonated widely online.