Alex Romankow flew 8,000 miles to surprise his sister, Julia, at her graduation from the Carbon Career & Technical Institute on Friday night.

His presence at the ceremony was one of the highlights of the evening and gathered a lot of interest on social media.

Alex is serving in the U.S. Navy and stationed in Guam.

“I have always been proud of Julia for working so hard and achieving really good grades and awards in school,” Alex said. “Graduation is such a monumental event, that I didn’t want to miss it.”

Back in February, he reached out to his Dad, Jim, to help make the arrangements. Neither his Mom, Carly, nor his younger sister, Natalie, knew that he was planning this.

Only four people at CCTI knew about his plans.

The trip from Guam to Pennsylvania took two days and close to 8,000 miles.

He had stops in Hawaii and Denver.

Alex’s close friend, Collin Eidle picked him up at the Philadelphia airport, and the Eidle family was nice enough to let Alex stay there until the night of graduation, rather than at the family home in Lansford, to keep the trip a secret.

At the graduation, when Principal Michelle Allen read Julia’s name, Maritza Reinbold, the head of the Graphic Design Department was ready to hand the diploma to Julia. She stopped, however, when Allen continued, “Presenting Julia with her diploma is her brother, Alexander.”

“As a mother, I was bursting with pride that our daughter was graduating 4th in her class,” Julia’s Mom, Carly, said. “I was emotional all day thinking of her graduating. When I saw my son arrive on the stage, I was in shock and disbelief. I couldn’t help but run on stage to hug him. I was also in shock as to how many people stood up and the large round of applause for my children.”

Alex, Julia and their younger sister Natalie had a typical relationship growing up. Alex enjoyed picking on his little sisters, but in a loving way.

Julia said, “I have always looked up to her Alex. We became closer as we got older. I am very thankful for our close relationship.”

Jim’s mother, Linda Romankow, and Carly’s parents, Charlie and Sherry Snyder, have always been extremely proud of Julia’s achievements. They were beaming with pride as Julia approached the stage. When they heard Alex’ name being announced, they were astonished.

Both grandmothers were in tears, and Charlie was speechless.

“I was so proud of my niece for all of her achievements,” their Aunt, Kristen Oeltjen-Bruns, exclaimed.

“I did not think my heart could be fuller until her big brother gave us the shock of a lifetime in surprising her and the rest of us for this monumental moment in her life. We have always been a family that prioritizes each other. But when you see the next generation start to live these principles, it is a full circle moment.”

Alex graduated from Panther Valley High School in 2020. Due to the pandemic, only three people could attend his graduation: his mother, Carly; his father, James; and his sister, Julia.

He entered the United States Navy, and left for boot camp on Jan. 3, 2021.

He completed Battle Stations in March, 2021, and his pass in review was on March 25, 2021. His first station was at Camp Pendleton in California. He is currently assigned to the USS Frank Cable in Guam, where he is a Hull Technician. He recently ranked up to an E5. The last time he made it home was for his 21st birthday.

He then went to Guam where he has been stationed for the past nine months.

See the video of the surprise presentation as https://bit.ly/3VpvDpJ.