Georgia McGarry, a 99-year-old woman from Ohio, has just received her graduation diploma, 80 years after having to drop out of high school.
In an emotional ceremony, together with her loved ones and friends, they celebrated with her this achievement that she should have reached in 1944, however, it was not possible because circumstances prevented her from completing her studies at that time.
Georgia dropped out of high school as a junior in 1943 because her family was facing serious financial hardship due to World War II, according to media outlets that shared the story.
The woman then worked in a pharmacy and then as a janitor alongside her husband, among other activities, to help her family financially, however, she never forgot her dream of graduating.
Marie Adams, one of her friends, managed to fulfill this dream. She arranged a surprise ceremony where Superintendent Phil Ackerman presented her with her diploma, dated May 19, 1944, from Woodsfield High School, the day she was originally supposed to celebrate her graduation.
“Georgia made a huge sacrifice. It was very special, 80 years later, to have her wish fulfilled,” Ackerman said during the emotional ceremony.
“It means a lot because that was a long time ago: 1944,” McGarry said in an interview with OMCV.
“He had an incredible smile on his face,” the superintendent concluded.
