• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2025 ABC News
  • Living

First-generation students visit grandfather outside nursing home in cap and gowns

0:46
First-Gen college grads visit their grandfather outside his nursing home
Vana Ebrahimi
Shannon McLellan
ByShannon McLellan
May 22, 2020, 9:09 PM

Siblings who graduated from law and medical schools in the class of 2020 as first-generation college students brought their grandfather to tears when they visited him outside his nursing home in their caps and gowns.

Vana Ebrahimi graduated earlier this month with a law degree from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Her brother also graduated this month with a medical degree.

Ebrahimi and her brother were the first members of their family to go to college. Ebrahimi's parents came to the United States from Iran in 1992, following the footsteps of her grandparents who came in 1989. The families live minutes away from each other in Los Angeles and are very close not just in distance – but in heart.

“He’s the happiest person I know,” Vana Ebrahimi said about her grandfather.
Vana Ebrahimi

Related Articles

MORE: Sanitation worker sings to graduates taking pictures on their front lawn

"For my parents it was a crazy adjustment being in an all-new country," Ebrahimi said. "They worked seven days a week and did everything they could for us to get the best education. They sacrificed a lot of themselves for us to be on the right steps."

Months before Ebrahimi and her brother were set to graduate, their grandfather, 86-year-old Hayrik Abnous, fell and broke his hip and leg. He was in the hospital for a month and a half and then was moved to a nursing home, where he underwent physical therapy.

While in law school, Ebrahimi would accompany her grandmother to visit Abnous almost every day in the hospital and nursing home. Ebrahimi says her and her grandfather have a special relationship.

Editor’s Picks

Grandma in isolation sees granddaughter through glass door on wedding day

  • Apr 28, 2020

Dressed in cap-and-gown, a teacher delivers signs to high school seniors' yards

  • May 04, 2020

Twins accepted to 38 colleges with $1M in scholarships hope to become nurses

  • May 18, 2020

"My grandpa is everyone's rock," Ebrahimi said. "He's a happy-go-lucky guy. He always has a smile on. People tell me I'm always smiling and I tell them, 'That's my grandpa.' It's a special trait we got from him to be able to find the silver lining in everything."

When the coronavirus pandemic hit, Ebrahimi and her grandmother were unable to visit Abnous in his nursing home. In addition to that, like many college students around the world, both Ebrahimi and her brother's graduations were changed to virtual ceremonies.

Vana Ebrahimi, 26, graduated with a law degree from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.
Vana Ebrahimi

Related Articles

MORE: 1st-generation college student named valedictorian, aspires to become HBCU professor

Rather than being upset, Ebrahimi decided to do what her grandfather taught her and find the silver lining. Although the ceremony was canceled, she wanted to find a way to make their graduation day special for their family.

Ebrahimi and her brother decided to go to their grandfather's nursing home in their caps and gowns and have their own special graduation ceremony with him. One of nurses was able to wheel him to the window, where he saw his grandchildren for the first time as law and medical school graduates.

Abnous had his signature smile on when he saw his grandchildren. Then, overcome with emotion, he burst into tears.

"My grandpa is always smiling. To see him cry… I don't have words for that," Ebrahimi said.

She said it made her think, "'Wow. I really did make him proud.' I was so thankful for be able to share that with him."

Vana Ebrahimi with her grandfather Hayrik Abnous.
Vana Ebrahimi

Related Articles

MORE: Grandchildren seeking cards for their WWII veteran grandfather's 97th birthday

For Ebrahimi, it was more than a moment of celebration for her and her brother. It was also a moment to thank their family for all that they'd done to get them there.

"Coming to this country was a tough time for them. It's nice to feel like we did our part and this is our thank you to them for doing theirs for us," Ebrahmim said. "You hear all the stories about their struggles and it's like we did this. Not just me and my brother…my parents, my grandparents, my family."

Editor’s Picks

Grandma in isolation sees granddaughter through glass door on wedding day

  • Apr 28, 2020

Dressed in cap-and-gown, a teacher delivers signs to high school seniors' yards

  • May 04, 2020

Twins accepted to 38 colleges with $1M in scholarships hope to become nurses

  • May 18, 2020

Up Next in Living—

Schools, authorities sound alarm over 'Chromebook Challenge' TikTok trend

May 14, 2025

Shein and Temu products impacted by tariffs: What to know

May 14, 2025

Students have sweetest reaction to seeing pregnant teacher's baby move

May 13, 2025

May's full flower moon is arriving: What it means for your zodiac sign

May 12, 2025

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2025 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2025 ABC News