Audio By Carbonatix
A 97-year-old woman has received an honorary diploma from a Michigan high school, eight decades after she was forced to drop out to help her family.
Margaret Thome Bekema finally was able to don a mortarboard and fulfill her lifelong goal in front of her friends and family on Thursday. School administrators from Catholic Central High School in Grand Rapids presented her with the diploma at the Yorkshire and Stonebridge Manor senior community in Walker.
Bekema would have graduated with the Class of 1936, but she left during her junior year to care for her three younger siblings because her mother was ill with cancer.
She said leaving school at age 17 broke her heart and she's thankful for the recognition.
Grand Rapids is about 160 miles northwest of Detroit.
Latest Stories
-
‘Jean Mensa and deputies must go’ – Fifi Kwetey says EC leadership has lost public trust
2 hours -
US accused of using illegal workers at centre processing refugee claims in South Africa
2 hours -
Trump announces ‘warrior dividend’ payments for troops
2 hours -
Billionaire Jared Isaacman, an Elon Musk ally, confirmed as NASA chief
2 hours -
Susan Boyle ‘incredibly touched’ by Timothée Chalamet’s praise
2 hours -
Indian scientists predict how bird flu could spread to humans
2 hours -
Childhood friends find ‘$55,000 diamond’ in India
3 hours -
Heavy rains worsen conditions for displaced Gazans, UN warns
3 hours -
Venezuela denounces Trump’s order for ship blockade as ‘warmongering threats’
3 hours -
BP names new boss as current CEO leaves after less than two years
3 hours -
Dan Bongino stepping down as FBI deputy director
3 hours -
Bedwetting: Seven‑year‑old burned; guardian faces charges
4 hours -
Macclesfield forward McLeod dies in car accident
5 hours -
Newcastle to face Man City in EFL Cup semi-finals
5 hours -
‘Don’t put the President on the spot’ – Fifi Kwetey rebukes Majority leadership over OSP Bill
6 hours