79 years after she was forced to leave school to look after her sick mother and siblings, Margaret Thome Bekema, 97, has received her graduation diploma.
“I had to quit school to take over the family. It was hard, you have no idea how hard that was. I loved high school and I had lots of friends,” said Margaret about the honour of gaining her honorary diploma.
The principal of Grand Rapids Catholic Central High, Greg Deja said “her life has been one of sacrifice and service. It has been so encouraging and inspiring for our community because her choices represent all the core values that we teach our students.”
The 97 year old burst into tears when she received her graduation cap, and the tears just kept rolling throughout the proceedings.
As an extra special touch her diploma is dated the year she would have graduated had she been able top stay at school and graduate with her friends.
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