{"id":152850,"date":"2026-05-04T12:52:49","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T16:52:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/?p=152850"},"modified":"2026-05-07T10:36:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-07T14:36:57","slug":"a-familys-unlikely-journey-to-become-knights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/news\/a-familys-unlikely-journey-to-become-knights\/","title":{"rendered":"A Family\u2019s Unlikely Journey to Become Knights"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When StaceyAnn Castro Tapler and her 21-year-old-son, Johnny, graduate this week, it won\u2019t be the first time a parent-child duo has simultaneously celebrated commencement at UCF. But to understand why this particular family\u2019s story is remarkable, you must first appreciate the journey.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_152877\" style=\"max-width: 1200px;\" class=\"figure mx-auto d-block\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"figure-img size-full wp-image-152877 img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-Johnny-graduation-ucf.jpg\" alt=\"Brunette woman wearing black and gold graduation gown stands next to taller young man wearing black and gold graduation gown on brick patio with trees in background\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-Johnny-graduation-ucf.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-Johnny-graduation-ucf-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-Johnny-graduation-ucf-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-Johnny-graduation-ucf-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-Johnny-graduation-ucf-360x240.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"figure-img size-full wp-image-152877 img-fluid lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20800%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Brunette woman wearing black and gold graduation gown stands next to taller young man wearing black and gold graduation gown on brick patio with trees in background\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20800%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-Johnny-graduation-ucf.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-Johnny-graduation-ucf-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-Johnny-graduation-ucf-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-Johnny-graduation-ucf-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-Johnny-graduation-ucf-360x240.jpg 360w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-Johnny-graduation-ucf.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">StaceyAnn Castro Tapler (49) and her son Johnny (21) graduate together this week. (Photo by Antoine Hart)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>We could start 33 years ago to when Castro Tapler first visited UCF and dreamed of becoming a Knight.<\/p>\n<p>Or jump to when she lost sight of that dream in the whirlwind of life after enlisting in the U.S. Marines, completing an overseas deployment, getting married and raising a family.<\/p>\n<p>Or here, in present day, as the 49-year-old graduates alongside her oldest, each with degree choices influenced by Johnny\u2019s struggle with neurological hearing loss \u2014 hers, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/degree\/early-childhood-development-and-education-bs\/\">early childhood development and education<\/a> and his, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/degree\/communication-sciences-and-disorders-bs\/\">communication sciences and disorders<\/a>. And don\u2019t forget her other son, Michael, an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/degree\/emergency-management-bs\/\">emergency management<\/a> major, close behind and husband, John, graduating later this year from Valencia College, a <a href=\"https:\/\/directconnect.ucf.edu\/\">DirectConnect to UCF<\/a> partner.<\/p>\n<p>Their story is one of many subplots and selfless acts, and so much love for family \u2014 a family that pulled strength from each other on the road to this long-awaited, triumphant moment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople doubted us for moving here from Long Island to become Knights,\u201d Castro Tapler says. \u201cWe said, \u2018Just watch.\u2019 \u201cWe\u2019re proving that you can do anything you put your mind to doing by adapting and overcoming.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_152874\" style=\"max-width: 1200px;\" class=\"figure mx-auto d-block\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"figure-img size-full wp-image-152874 img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-military-ucf.jpg\" alt=\"Brunette woman wearing black graduation gown and red white and blue military stole stands with arms crossed in front of concrete statue of seal of US Marines. \" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-military-ucf.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-military-ucf-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-military-ucf-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-military-ucf-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-military-ucf-360x240.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"figure-img size-full wp-image-152874 img-fluid lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20800%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Brunette woman wearing black graduation gown and red white and blue military stole stands with arms crossed in front of concrete statue of seal of US Marines. \" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20800%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-military-ucf.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-military-ucf-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-military-ucf-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-military-ucf-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-military-ucf-360x240.jpg 360w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/StaceyAnn-Castro-Tapler-military-ucf.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">StaceyAnn Castro Tapler first visited UCF in 1993 as a teenager and always dreamed of earning a degree from the university. At 49, she&#8217;s finally achieving her goal. (Photo by Antoine Hart)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>A Dream Put on Hold, But Never Forgotten<\/h2>\n<p>Castro Tapler\u2019s mind first fixed on UCF in 1993 when the family of her friend, <strong>David Konits \u201901<\/strong>, paid for her to visit them in Orlando to thank her for saving their son\u2019s life after a serious injury. Putting others first had already become ingrained for Castro Tapler, then 16, despite a childhood without means. She lived with her mother in another friend\u2019s basement and had never traveled beyond New York.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey brought me to the UCF campus and I was blown away,\u201d she says. \u201cI\u2019d never seen such nice kids studying together in such a beautiful environment. If I could ever afford college, I wanted it to be here.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Castro Tapler went back home, finished high school and joined the U.S. Marines. Shortly after 9\/11, she was deployed to Kuwait. The idea of college continued to dim as she fulfilled her military duty, returned to Long Island, went to work and raised a family.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe goal was always out there,\u201d she says, \u201cbut I just couldn\u2019t get to it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She wanted a more streamlined path for her sons, Johnny and Michael, so she and her husband always included tours of universities during family trips.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen we came to UCF, the boys and John fell in love,\u201d Castro Tapler says, \u201cand to me, that feeling of belonging was still there after so many years.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>On the day of Johnny\u2019s high school graduation, they loaded up the car and moved to Orlando \u2014 placing her within reach of the dream she never gave up on.<\/p>\n<h2>Planting Roots on Campus<\/h2>\n<p>As a U.S. Marine veteran, Castro Tapler has chilling stories about how she calmly put out oil fires in open combat zones. On her first day of classes at UCF, she \u2014 like a good Marine \u2014 arrived 30 minutes early with food and hydration. An emotion consumed her: Fear.<\/p>\n<p>Here she was, surrounded by students half her age using tablets and carrying backpacks while she pulled around a wagon and used a spiral notebook. She would need to relearn how to learn. Three encounters quickly made her feel at ease.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe sound of a piano in the lobby soothed my nerves. Then a group of girls in my first class invited me to work with them. And I found the <a href=\"https:\/\/access.ucf.edu\/military\/\">Office of Military and Veteran Student Success<\/a>,\u201d she says. \u201cA college campus is a different world from what veterans are used to. The people in that office helped me understand aid, tutoring and the culture. They\u2019re veterans, too, so they know how difficult the transition can be.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Her fear turned to joy and a genuine belief she belonged. She felt even more connected knowing Johnny and Michael were on the same campus feeling the same pride.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_152875\" style=\"max-width: 1200px;\" class=\"figure mx-auto d-block\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"figure-img size-full wp-image-152875 img-fluid\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/johnny-castro-ucf-communications.jpg\" alt=\"Young man wearing black graduation gown with military red white and blue stole sits in front of veterans concrete memorial outside.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/johnny-castro-ucf-communications.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/johnny-castro-ucf-communications-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/johnny-castro-ucf-communications-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/johnny-castro-ucf-communications-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/johnny-castro-ucf-communications-360x240.jpg 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\"><\/noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" class=\"figure-img size-full wp-image-152875 img-fluid lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20800%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" alt=\"Young man wearing black graduation gown with military red white and blue stole sits in front of veterans concrete memorial outside.\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201200%20800%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/johnny-castro-ucf-communications.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/johnny-castro-ucf-communications-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/johnny-castro-ucf-communications-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/johnny-castro-ucf-communications-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/johnny-castro-ucf-communications-360x240.jpg 360w\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/20\/files\/2026\/05\/johnny-castro-ucf-communications.jpg\"><figcaption class=\"figure-caption\">Johnny Castro intends to use his communications and sciences disorders degree as the first step toward a medical degree in audiology. (Photo by Antoine Hart)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>The Start of a New Future<\/h2>\n<p>We come to the most surreal moment: mom and son graduating together. She points out this is <em>a <\/em>goal achieved, but not <em>the<\/em> goal.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur degrees open doors to serve others,\u201d Castro Tapler says.<\/p>\n<p>She\u2019ll teach first grade, knowing each child is unique, perhaps with a challenge that hasn\u2019t yet been identified. Johnny intends to use his communications and sciences disorders degree as the first step toward a medical degree in audiology. He visualizes being the first person parents see when their babies are diagnosed with a complication. He already knows what he\u2019ll say:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s going to be OK. Look at me. I have a hearing disorder, too, and now I\u2019m a doctor,\u201d Johnny says.<\/p>\n<p>Michael will apply his emergency management degree from UCF to help communities on a larger scale. And John, after finishing at Valencia College, will consider an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ucf.edu\/online\/\">online<\/a> business master\u2019s program at UCF, so he can provide financial planning and support for those facing their own challenges.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe wants so badly to be a Knight like the rest of us,\u201d Castro Tapler says.<\/p>\n<p>It makes sense. Knights are known for their grit. And this family has plenty of it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI think back to people saying you\u2019ll never afford college, you\u2019re too old, and Johnny can\u2019t become a doctor with hearing loss,\u201d Castro Tapler says. \u201cNow we\u2019re going to walk to the stage together and hear our names called.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>More than 30 years after finishing high school, StaceyAnn Castro will graduate from UCF with her son, followed soon by another son, capping a story filled with doubt, obstacles, and service.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":57,"featured_media":152876,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"lazy_load_responsive_images_disabled":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"categories":[5,12,27],"tags":[17177,16873,1004,54103],"tu_author":[],"class_list":["post-152850","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-colleges","category-health","category-student-life","tag-college-of-community-innovation-and-education","tag-college-of-health-professions-and-sciences","tag-commencement","tag-office-of-military-and-veteran-student-success"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v22.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A Family\u2019s Unlikely Journey to Become Knights | University of Central Florida 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