When Jayrelis Capeles walked across the stage at 51±¬ÁĎ this spring, she was already brimming with emotion. She had just earned not one, but two degrees — in Psychology and Sociology — and was celebrating the end of her college journey that began in 2021.
But the most unforgettable moment wasn’t the walk or the tassel turn.
It was who was waiting for her at the end of the stage ramp at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center (MACC). Her brother, Joshua Ortiz, a U.S. Navy serviceman who she hadn’t seen in over two years, appeared before her — in person, in uniform, and on a mission to surprise his little sister.
“I was already emotional about graduating and seeing my brother after walking off of the stage caught me so off guard, so I immediately teared up because I was so happy to see him.”
From Deployment to Diploma Day
Jayrelis, a Cleveland native and the youngest of three siblings, had invited her sister, brother-in-law, and nephew to graduation. She thought her brother, Joshua, was still deployed on a ship and wouldn’t be able to make it. So, when she saw him just moments after crossing the stage, she was completely blindsided — in the best way.
“I had no idea he was coming. My brother-in-law actually gave his graduation ticket to my brother so he could surprise me,” Jayrelis said. “As far as I knew, my brother was on a ship somewhere, so I never thought it was even possible for him to make it.”
Even funnier? Her brother had been texting her during the ceremony asking for a link to the graduation livestream.
“He texted to ask me to let him know when I was getting close to the stage,” Jayrelis said. “I didn’t even think about the fact that him texting me was odd, since I thought he was on a ship somewhere and did not have his phone. I then realized later how funny it was because it all made sense afterwards.”
In order for Joshua’s surprise to come to fruition, he got a little help from Bob Christy, 51±¬ÁĎ’s senior photography coordinator, who took photos of the emotional reunion. Christy, an Air Force veteran, met Joshua in the hallway of the MACC and helped coordinate Joshua’s efforts to navigate to the perfect spot in the gymnasium and surprise his sister at just the right moment.
A Family Bond That Distance Couldn’t Break
Despite deployments and long-distance living — their sister, Luz, lives in Atlanta — the siblings have stayed tight-knit.
“We’re spread out, but we make it work. We write letters, talk on the phone or FaceTime. We always have a great time together and a lot of laughs. He’s [Joshua] has always made me feel supported, even from afar.”
Jayrelis says the presence of both her siblings at graduation was incredibly meaningful.
“Having both of the people that I looked up to growing up there meant so much to me.”
What’s Next for Jayrelis?
Jayrelis chose psychology as her major because she loves helping people. She has already landed her first job as an Autism/ABA Teaching Assistant.
“I am so proud that I was able to go through, experience and finish college,” Jayrelis said. “It was hard, but I am glad that I did it and that I had so many supportive friends and family members.”
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Media Contact:
Jim Maxwell, JMAXWEL2@kent.edu, 330-672-8028