Laura Dern Celebrates Daughter's High School Graduation With Poignant Note

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Laura Dern is honoring her daughter's milestone achievement!

The actress took to Instagram on Tuesday, June 6, to celebrate her 18-year-old daughter, Jaya Harper, who just graduated high school!


The post included a series of snaps from her graduation, including moments of her on stage giving a speech as she wore a purple cap and gown, along with other sweet moments of her embracing her mom.

Dern also shared a photo of Jaya standing alongside her 21-year-old brother, Ellery, as he pointed to her in excitement, and her step-siblings, Charles and Harris. There was also an adorable photo of Dern with her daughter as they held each other close, arms wrapped around one another.

For the occasion, Dern donned a jet-black jacket with a black turtleneck underneath and paired her dark look with a light pink scarf and a pair of sunglasses.

Other family members in attendance included Harper's grandma, and Dern's mother, Diane Ladd, along with Harper's father, Ben Harper–who Dern married in 2005. The pair split in 2013. She also shared a glimpse of the decorations that featured a sign that read "Congrats Grad."

"The most amazing milestone to experience. My baby graduated high school. Thank you @newroadsschool for being an extraordinary space that honors social justice as a core to curriculum and growing empathy. A true and diverse representative community," Dern wrote in the caption.

"Thank you to all the teachers and administration for your profound gifts and influence. Jaya. I’m so proud of you and your incredible heart and voice. I’m in awe of you."

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Many celebrity friends and fans alike took to the comments to congratulate Jaya on her milestone achievement, including Hugh Jackman who wrote, "Huge congrats @jayaharper !!"

Film director Charlie McDowell also chimed in writing, "Congrats @jayaharper !!!!" while British actress Naomi Watts wrote "Congrats @jayaharper i love the spirit in the second pic so much!! 🙌👏🙌"

Congratulations to the new high school graduate—and good luck on the road that lies ahead.