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Pike County students get their diplomas nearly 50 years later

Students from the Pike County Consolidated High School Class of 1969 walk down the aisle at the beginning of a graduation ceremony Saturday, March 3, 2018, to receive their high school diplomas. ERIC STIRGUS / ESTIRGUS@AJC.COM
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March 3, 2018

It was a long time coming for the Pike County Consolidated High School senior class of 1969 to receive their diplomas.

Nearly 50 years.

On Saturday, about 40 men and women attended a ceremony where they were handed their diplomas. The school district’s superintendent refused to give the students their diplomas for holding a peaceful march in April 1969 to protest what they felt were discriminatory school district policies.

“We had no regrets ... because we made the right decision,” said Mildred Favors Dixon.

ExploreRead more about the special ceremony at myAJC.com.
Pike County Consolidated High School's senior class of 1969 on stage at a ceremony on March 3, 2018, to receive their high school diplomas. ERIC STIRGUS / ESTIRGUS@AJC.COM
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About the Author

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

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