Emily Medlock

Kassi Jackson

Saturday, May 18, 2019

Emily Medlock graduated from Central High School on Sunday, May 12, 2019, at the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. It’s Mother’s Day, but that’s not the only reason it’s significant, it’s special because Emily, now 18, has a two-year-old son, Phoenix Young. While raising her son — whom she got pregnant with freshman year — Emily achieved top 10% recognition of her senior class, and received a scholarship to attend Southeast Missouri State in the fall for nursing.

Emily Medlock holds her son Phoenix Young, 2, on her shoulders in the field behind the house as they watch cars go by Tuesday, May 7, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. Emily said one of Phoenix's favorite things to do is to watch the cars drive by along the fence line. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Emily Medlock puts socks on her son, Phoenix Young, 2, before taking him outside to play at home Tuesday, May 7, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Phoenix Young, 2, lines up his toy trucks in the living room at home Tuesday, May 7, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Phoenix Young, 2, watches cars drive by from a fence in a field behind his house Tuesday, May 7, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Emily Medlock holds her arms out to catch a ball from her son, Phoenix Young, 2, at home Tuesday, May 7, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Emily Medlock, center, prepares a pizza while her son Phoenix Young, 2, stands in time out at home Tuesday, May 7, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Emily Medlock gets a kiss from her son Phoenix Young, 2, while at home Tuesday, May 7, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Emily Medlock supervises her son, Phoenix Young, 2, as she works on potty-training him at home before putting him to bed Tuesday, May 7, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Emily Medlock bathes her son, Phoenix Young, 2, at home Tuesday, May 7, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)

Phoenix Young, 2, runs into the arms of his mom, Emily Medlock, after taking a bath and getting ready for bed at home Tuesday, May 7, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Phoenix Young, 2, laughs as he receives goodnight kisses from his "Mimi" Missy Medlock at home Tuesday, May 7, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Emily Medlock waits in the lobby of Clippard Elementary School before the grad walk Friday, May 10, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. The grad walk is an opportunity for graduates to visit the elementary school they attended and visit with teachers who might still be working at that building. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Emily Medlock, left, walks through the halls of Clippard Elementary School with her friend Taylor Driver during the grad walk Friday, May 10, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. The grad walk is an opportunity for graduates to visit the elementary school they attended and visit with teachers who might still be working at that building. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Emily Medlock puts on her makeup the morning of her graduation Sunday, May 12, 2019, at home in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Emily Medlock gets ready for her graduation while her son, Phoenix Young, 2, drops a ball and wants attention at home Sunday, May 12, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Emily Medlock takes a break from getting ready for graduation to spend time with her son, Phoenix Young, 2, at home Sunday, May 12, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Emily Medlock tries on her graduation cap with her finished hair and makeup the morning of graduation Sunday, May 12, 2019, at home in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Missy Medlock hangs her daughter, Emily Medlock's, graduation gown up after ironing it while Emily does her makeup at home Sunday, May 12, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Phoenix Young, 2, lies down on a pillow he dragged into the room where his mom, Emily Medlock, was getting ready for graduation Sunday, May 12, 2019, at home in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Phoenix Young, 2, plays a game on a cell phone while being occupied so his mom and other members of his family can get ready for his mom, Emily Medlock's, high school graduation Sunday, May 12, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Emily Medlock, right, and her friend Taylor Driver look at a photo taken of the two of them before graduation at the Show Me Center Sunday, May 12, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Emily Medlock, center, laughs with classmates while waiting for graduation to start at the Show Me Center Sunday, May 12, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Emily Medlock waves to her family during the Cape Central High School Class of 2019 Commencement at the Show Me Center Sunday, May 12, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Emily Medlock, center, tosses her hat into the air as balloons drop at the conclusion of the Cape Central High School Class of 2019 Commencement at the Show Me Center Sunday, May 12, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Emily Medlock receives a hug from her mom, Missy Medlock, at the conclusion of the Cape Central High School Class of 2019 Commencement at the Show Me Center Sunday, May 12, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)
Emily Medlock receives a kiss from her son, Phoenix Young, 2, at the conclusion of the Cape Central High School Class of 2019 Commencement at the Show Me Center Sunday, May 12, 2019, in Cape Girardeau. (Kassi Jackson ~ Southeast Missourian)