Two Brothers, One Unbreakable Bond: Overcoming Adversity to Graduate Together

This May, two brothers from Reynolds Community College will walk across the graduation stage together, a milestone that once seemed uncertain following a harrowing accident. Despite facing unimaginable challenges, J.T. and Shea Davis have shown determination and an unwavering commitment to their education.

In the fall of 2023, J.T. was home from Old Dominion University (ODU) for Thanksgiving break. A freshman majoring in Sports Management, he was also taking online courses at Reynolds to earn his Associate Degree in Business Administration. Meanwhile, his younger brother, 16-year-old Shea, was balancing an ambitious academic load enrolled as a student at Highland Springs High School’s Center for Engineering and a concurrent enrollment student with Reynolds.

The brothers were returning home from a friend’s house when wet road conditions on Interstate 295 caused their car to lose control and flip. Help arrived in the form of an off-duty firefighter and his fiancée, who quickly took action. While the firefighter administered first aid to J.T., who sustained life-threatening injuries, his fiancée comforted Shea who was thankfully unharmed.

J.T. was transported to VCU’s Trauma Care Unit where the full extent of his injuries quickly became apparent. His family kept vigil at his side as he lay in the ICU, uncertain of what the future held. Shea, though physically unharmed, carried the weight of guilt knowing he had been behind the wheel. But neither he nor J.T. allowed the tragedy to derail their educational goals.

J.T.’s injuries made focusing on schoolwork nearly impossible and he was forced to withdraw from classes temporarily. Yet, with the unwavering support of his family and medical team, he slowly regained strength.

Determined to stay on course, he re-enrolled at both ODU and Reynolds the following semester, developing a system on his phone of reminders and schedules to manage his coursework. The flexibility of online classes at Reynolds became a lifeline, allowing him to balance his rehabilitation with academics at both schools.

Shea, meanwhile, pressed forward with his studies. He adopted a disciplined approach, seizing every spare moment to study. His drive has set him on a path toward a career in architectural engineering and will be headed for North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in the fall.

This spring, J.T. will graduate from Reynolds with his Associate Degree in Business Administration, while Shea will earn his General Studies degree two weeks before graduating from high school. Their mother, Dr. Stacie Davis, Dean of the School of Business and Industrial Trades at Reynolds, will have the unique honor of watching her sons cross the stage.

Reflecting on their journey, J.T. offers simple but profound advice: “Just do it. Take the time you need, but don’t give up.” Shea echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of seeking support: “Talk to someone. Keeping emotions bottled up isn’t healthy—whether it’s family, a professor, or a friend, find someone to talk to.”

The bond between these two brothers has been strengthened by their experience. This May, as they accept their diplomas, they won’t just be celebrating an academic achievement—they will be honoring the determination and unwavering support that carried them through.