A father and daughter, have achieved outstanding success after they both graduated from Buffalo State University, New York on the same day.

Cesar Galarza and his daughter, Clarimar, both graduated from Buffalo State University with their bachelor’s degrees at the same time. Cesar told GMA that he decided to go back to school nine years after he and his family moved to New York.

He earned an associate degree in Social Science and then proceeded to get his bachelor’s degree with his daughter at Buffalo State College. He said the school was hard because English is both his and his daughter’s second language.

“It was hard, it was challenging. We went through school during the toughest time, but we overcame,” he said. Cesar attributed his success to his wife whom they have been together for 24 years as well as his 15-year-old son, who helps him study and proofread his papers.

He mentioned that he and his daughter do their school running together. Cesar said he would give his daughter rides to school, and they would eat lunch together if they were together.

He stated that they shared virtual classes during the coronavirus pandemic hit in  2020.“She did better than me. I did pretty good. But she always did better than me,” he said.

Cesar said will continue working as a pastor in his community while pursuing his master’s degree while  Clarimar is still deciding what is next for her. Advising other parents or adults thinking of returning to school, Cesar said it is never too late. “It’s always possible. I’m 41 years old, and I did it,” he said.