When Waffle House store manager Cedric Hampton learned that his employee Timothy Harrison was going to miss graduation, he rallied the team to make sure he didn't.

He attempted to skip graduation to work a shift, but his manager refused: ‘I was going to get him there no matter what’

Timothy Harrison, an 18-year-old senior at Woodlawn High School, surprised his boss Cedric Hampton at his local Waffle House in Center Point, Alabama by showing up to work an extra shift on the day of his graduation. Initially, Timothy had requested the day off to attend his graduation. However, his boss was shocked to learn that the student did not have the means to get to the venue nor did he have the tickets. Realizing how important this milestone was for Timothy, Hampton took it upon himself to make sure that the student wouldn’t miss out on the event. According to The Washington Post, the store manager decided to take action.

In an interview with a news outlet, the student shared that his parents really wanted to attend his graduation, but unfortunately, they couldn’t. The reason for this was that he didn’t have a ride, he didn’t have tickets, and he couldn’t put the plan together entirely. Moreover, his mother, who works at a daycare center, couldn’t get the day off, and he is not in touch with his father. Furthermore, the graduation was taking place at a venue in Birmingham, which is an hour away from his home. Given these logistical difficulties, the young student decided to head to Waffle House instead, hoping to work his usual shift. However, his manager had other plans for him.

After hearing about Harrison’s predicament, Hampton sprang into action. “I immediately told him to head home, grab his paperwork, and contact the school, and we would take care of the rest,” he recounted. To Hampton, the decision was a no-brainer. Graduation is a once-in-a-lifetime event, and after years of hard work, it’s important to be there to savor the moment. Despite not having a cap, gown, or tickets for the ceremony as they were distributed during the rehearsal, the employees were determined to make it happen. “I could see the desire to attend the graduation in Harrison’s eyes, and I was going to do everything in my power to get him there,” Hampton emphasized. “No student should miss their high school graduation.”

Within a short time, Harrison was whisked away by a considerate employee to the high school to collect his graduation gear. Another employee went to a nearby Target store to buy him a new outfit. Four employees at the store pooled together $40 each to purchase a pair of gray pants, a baby blue dress shirt with a matching tie, and gray shoes for the student. According to Hampton, “We made a collective decision to take care of everything for him so that he could truly enjoy this special day. Some customers also contributed to the cause. Within a few hours, everything was sorted.” After changing into his new clothes at the Waffle House, Harrison exclaimed, “I felt like the President.”

After helping the high school senior put on his cap and gown, Hampton drove them all down to the venue. Unfortunately, due to social distancing restrictions, the employees were unable to attend the event. However, they waited outside in the parking lot to congratulate Harrison when he walked out—with a glowing smile. Harrison stated, “It was most definitely the best day of my life. The experience was amazing.” But this was just the beginning. His story went viral, and he received a full scholarship to attend Lawson State Community College in Birmingham. Cynthia Anthony, the president of Lawson State Community College, said, “This young man was certainly hard-working and dedicated to the task at hand at Waffle House, and it just showed his perseverance and that he wanted something out of life. We just wanted to see how Lawson State could help him to further his education and meet his career goals.” Harrison’s dedication and perseverance paid off, and he’s now on the path to fulfilling his dreams.

Hampton and Harrison toured the college campus together once. “He tugged at my heart when he told us that this was life-changing for him, and it’s something that is going to give him an opportunity that he would never have,” Anthony stated. “As I told Timothy, it takes a village, and at Lawson State we want him to know that we are his village right now.” The student’s village extends far beyond his college, as he will always have his Waffle House family to back him up. Hampton affirmed, “We are one big family at my Waffle House. We are all about supporting our people. I am [Harrison’s] full-time mentor. I feel really good about what’s about to happen next for him. And I’ll always be there along the way.”

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MBS Staff

MBS Staff is a dedicated team of writers and journalists at Montgomery Business Scene, committed to delivering insightful and comprehensive coverage of the latest business trends, news, and developments in Montgomery County. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, MBS Staff provides readers with valuable insights and expert analysis to help them stay informed and ahead in the dynamic world of business.

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