97-year-old woman earns high school diploma decades later
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By HotTopics.tv
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A 97-year-old Michigan woman has done many things in her life, but getting her high school diploma was not one of them.
That changed last week, when Margaret Bekema was presented with an honorary diploma from Catholic Central High School in Grand Rapids.
Bekema was forced to drop out in 1932 after her mother died of cancer. Bekema had to help take care of her younger siblings. This summer, one of Bekema's relatives contacted the school and told them her story.
The principal says he knew they just had to give her that diploma.
“She said her heart was broken when she dropped out,” Principal Greg Deja said.
Bekema teared up while thanking the school.
“How can I express myself?” asked Margaretshe asked. “I don’t know how to express the thanks. I’m just plain tickled.”
Despite not getting her diploma, Bekema went on to do clerical work for the armed forces and later became a preschool teacher.
The school says Bekema is an example of what they hope all their graduates to be.
>> Click here to see photos from the ceremony
Today we honored our former student, Margaret Thome Bekema, with an honorary diploma. After years of waiting, Margaret is officially a Catholic Central Alumna, class of 1936. Congratulations, Margaret!
Posted by Catholic Central High School on Thursday, October 29, 2015
>> Click here to watch a video report
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