When your kids accomplish a lifelong ambition, most parents want to shout it from the rooftops.
Kendra Busbee of Camden, New Jersey has essentially done just that!
Kendra’s daughter, Kristine Smalls, has wanted to be a doctor since she was 5 years old. After working hard for her whole academic career, Kristine recently graduated with a doctorate in Psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Kendra was over the moon about her daughter’s new degree, and she knew she wanted to find a very big, very visible way to celebrate.
“I am the proudest mom knowing that I have the most awesome daughter,” she gushed. “I can’t even explain the feeling that I have right now. She has done everything that a mother could wish their child could do. I wish nothing but the best for her.”
Kristine had mentioned a friend whose parents rented a billboard when she got her doctorate. At first, Kendra didn’t consider it, but the more she thought about it, the better she liked the idea. When she called around and found a price she could afford, she jumped on the chance!
Kendra had the sign made, making sure to call out their hometown of Camden, New Jersey in the process. The billboard reads:
“Let Me Re-Introduce Myself… Dr. Kristine S. Smalls – Dr. Smiles – Look what good came out of Camden!”
Kendra explained that she hopes the billboard will encourage other kids in Camden to do their best.
“We once heard that nothing good comes out of the city of Camden,” said the proud mom. “We just wanted to let them know this is something good that comes out of the city of Camden.”
Once the billboard went up on Route 130, the only thing left to do was show Kristine! Kendra arranged to have all of her friends and family meet up in the parking lot of a local pub. When Kristine arrived, she assumed they were having a socially-distanced “Covid party,” but then she saw the sign!
“From what I hear, it’s about 15,000 cars that drive by here Monday through Friday,” Kendra said.
As for what’s next, the new “Dr. Smalls” has a job lined up in Springfield, Pennsylvania. Ultimately, she hopes to return to her hometown someday to keep encouraging and helping her community.
“My ultimate goal in life is to come back to Camden and create a resource center,” said Kristine.
Go big or go home, right moms? We can see why Kendra decided to show her pride in such a big way! We hope Kristine’s accomplishment is the light other teens need to find their way.
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