Special to The Truth
It’s safe to say Jada Wilson will never forget graduating from Owens Community College. Not only did she leave with her Associate Degree in Registered Nursing, she left with a fiancé as well.
After the commencement and pinning ceremony at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Theater, Wilson was greeted by a throng of people chanting her name. As the crowd split, she saw Corey Williams standing in front of the staircase, backed by people holding signs that read, “Will you marry me, Jada?”
Of course, she said yes.
“I was very surprised. I had no clue that he was going to propose to me,” Wilson said. “When I saw the signs, my heart dropped like I was on a rollercoaster. It was beautiful and I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t stop smiling, I was so excited and nervous. When I heard everyone chanting my name, I felt so loved. It felt like I was in a movie.”
Williams, who is retired from the U.S. Army, said it took about six months to plan the engagement, with help from Wilson’s mom, Robin Clarke, and cousin, Brittney Taylor.
Williams had planned to do the proposal outside, but once word got around what was happening, people chipped in and helped him set up inside. Once everyone started pulling out phones to record, Williams admitted he got more nervous, but it all went smoothly in the end.
“It went really well, much better than I expected it to go,” Williams said. “One of the professors told me to keep it together because she could tell that I was nervous. I started to sweat. It turned out much better than I expected. It was amazing and beautiful.”
Wilson and Williams, both of Toledo, plan on getting married in 2027.
Owens Community College has served Northwest Ohio since 1965 as an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education with an open-door admission policy. Through intentional, adaptive and empowering education, Owens offers more than 160 academic programs to be the first choice for students, employers and the community. As a conduit to changing lives for the better, Owens creates pathways for success. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.