'Madison Strong': Paralyzed stabbing victim walks across stage for Ponte Vedra graduation

Scott Butler, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union
·2 min read

To a standing ovation, not only is "Madison Strong" like all the T-shirts her supporters have worn, Madison Schemitz is walking. Without assistance, she walked across the stage to roars from her classmates, their families and school staff on May 17 graduating from Ponte Vedra High School.

“As many of you or all of you know, last summer my entire world came to a stop," she said a day earlier at another ceremony. "On Saturday, June 3rd, 2023, I was the victim of a violent crime that left me paralyzed from the chest down."

She said she was forced to grapple with the idea that she was now a paralyzed teenage girl who was faced with the challenge of learning how to walk again.

Schemitz, now 18, thanked everyone for their support. “I pray that in the dark days, you feel God’s love,” she said.

Madison Schemitz walks across the stage to get her diploma from Ponte Vedra High School on May 17.
Madison Schemitz walks across the stage to get her diploma from Ponte Vedra High School on May 17.

“My faith, drive to heal myself and drive to help others has guided me as I continue to fight for not only my lifestyle, but for a better life for myself and those around me," she said.

Along with countless hours of rehabilitation, Schemitz continues to share her story and promote the One Love Foundation, a national nonprofit to end relationship abuse.

"You are a survivor, embodying strength, perseverance, and resilience," a GoFundMe site set up by Ponte Vedra Beach Moms on behalf of her mother posted Friday. "Your initiative to start a chapter of the One Love Foundation at Ponte Vedra High is a testament to your commitment to making a positive impact."

Jaclyn Roge and daughter Madison Schemitz attend Ponte Vedra High School's graduation.
Jaclyn Roge and daughter Madison Schemitz attend Ponte Vedra High School's graduation.

Schemitz ended with a quote from Winston Churchill: “If you’re going through hell, keep going. This quote serves as a powerful reminder to persevere … If you’re going through hell, you never want to stay there. So trust God and keep going and continue to be who you are in the process because no matter what, it does get better."

What happened to Madison Schemitz?

Schemitz was stalked by her ex-boyfriend Spencer Pearson to Mr. Chubby's Wings in Ponte Vedra Beach, according to arrest documents. When she and her mother, Jaclyn Roge, spotted him at the restaurant, they decided to leave. Once they were in the parking lot, security video shows Pearson follow them out and attack Schemitz stabbing her multiple times. Her mother tried to stop him and also suffered gashes until a patron, Kennedy Armstrong, tackled their attacker.

Spencer Pearson: Bodycam videos show first responders at work in Ponte Vedra stabbing at Mr. Chubby's

Pearson then began cutting his own neck until further help arrived. He was later charged with multiple counts and is scheduled for his next court appearance July 10.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Paralyzed stabbing victim walks across stage for Ponte Vedra graduation