ST. PETERSBURG -- Margaret Moku-Olu tries on her graduation cap and gown for size.

"Ahh, this feels nice," says Moku-Olu.

The 42-year-old from Webster is smiling now but it’s been a tough road making it to commencement at St. Pete College. Margaret moved from Nigeria to St. Petersburg in 2013.

"What actually brought me here is kidnapping, my family was particularly involved,” said Moku-Olu. “My elder sister was held for like 11 days and we paid almost close to $100,000 dollars to get her relieved." 

Safe in the states, tragedy back home inspired Margaret to become a midwife.

"I had a best friend that died in Africa when she had twins, so she’s one of the motivation I got even registering into nursing school."

The international student started nursing school in 2016 and has now completed the two-year program. Moku-Olu graduates Saturday.

"Coming with all that trauma the experience is not even going away but sometimes I try to push it behind me and to move forward."

This soon-to-be graduate is moving forward and already planning to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree. But this nursing student knows she’s already making a difference.

"One of the clients was like, I had changed his life forever. And when I hear stories like that it makes me happy to know that," said Moku-Olu. "So I look forward to putting on my smiles and getting people to get well instead of being sick in the hospital."