Nurse Mom Surprises Basketball Star Son On Senior Night

A mom who had been away from home for almost a year helping the COVID relief efforts in New York made a grand return to surprise her basketball star son on senior night. Joshua Ward’s mom, Charlene Bonner, hadn’t missed a game since he was three years old, but in March 2020, she was called upon to head to New York to help tackle the COVID-19 outbreak. The decision was a tough one, Charlene, 48, said, but it was Joshua, aged 17, who encouraged her to go, believing there are greater callings in life. As the months followed, Joshua, from Cordova, Tennessee, excelled in school, leading First Assembly Christian School in Memphis to become one of the best teams in the state while maintaining a 4.3 GPA. Due to the intensity of her work, Charlene, a nurse practitioner, missed birthdays and Thanksgiving and then Christmas. At points, she said, family members questioned whether it was time to come home - but Joshua always supported her and the work she was doing. Throughout this time, though, Charlene remained determined to see her son feature in at least one game in his stand-out senior season, and ahead of Senior Night on February 9, Charlene was able to arrange for a short period of time off work. On the night itself, Joshua was brought out onto court, where those present read out his achievements during his time in school. Then, having been hiding in the back of the gym, Charlene appeared on the court for the big surprise, heading over to give her son a long-overdue hug. Since the moment, Charlene has returned to New York, where she will continue to help out with the efforts for as long as she's needed.
**ADDITIONAL B-ROLL AVAILABLE ON REQUEST**
Release Status:
TV & Digital
Advertising
Location: Cordova, Tennessee, USA
  • Date Acquired03-04-2021
  • Date Filmed02-09-2021
  • OrientationHorizontal
  • Footage TypeCell Phone
  • Rights TV & Digital, Commercial, Publishing

Nurse Mom Surprises Basketball Star Son On Senior Night

Order

Family Hit Series Of Amazing Trick Shots During Lockdown

Teen In Wheelchair Assists On Play He Designed

Daughter Has Sweet First Dance With Dad After Prom Canceled

Family Host At-Home Graduation For Daughter

Kids Adorably Cheer Mom Graduating On TV Livestream

Nurse Is Surprised With Proposal During COVID Pandemic

Kindergarten Pupil Delivers Flowers Instead Of Homework To Teacher

Students Surprise Teacher On Her Front Lawn As Thanks For Pandemic Tutoring

Military Stepdad In Tears As He Surprises Stepdaughter With Prom At Home

Teacher Surprises Student With Cerebral Palsy With Window Tic-Tac-Toe

Mom And Son Apart For 500 Days Used Teddy Bears In Each Other's Place

Grandmother Surprised With Twin Great Grandchildren

Newly Vaccinated Son Records Surprise Reunions With Family After 14 Months Apart

Man Has Incredible Transformation After Stroke

Student Surprised With Car Left By Woman Before She Passed Away

Neighborhood Create Social Distancing Petting Zoo With Stuffed Toys For Kids

Grandmother Realizes Family Not Seen In 18 Months Are Outside On Call

Daughter Dresses As Waiter To Surprise Mom After 18 Months Away

Creative Couple Hold Virtual Wedding Reception In Apartment During Lockdown

Couple's Social Distancing Wedding Sees Guests Watch From Boats

Newlyweds Surprised With 50 Car Parade After Wedding

Couple Marry On Front Porch Due To COVID

Guests Drive Past Couple's Wedding To Join In Celebration

Couple Kept Apart By Pandemic Touch For First Time In 84 Days On Wedding Day

Bride Gifted Ring Containing Father's Ashes To Walk Aisle On Wedding Day With

Couple Get Married For Second Time So Grandmother Isolating Due To COVID Can Attend

Girl Reunited With Dad After 10 Months Apart

State Trooper Learns And Performs Dance Routine With Daughter

Work Training Video Turns Out To Be Proposal During Isolation