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97-Year-Old Cries Tears Of Joy After She Finally Gets Her High School Diploma
Margaret Thome Bekema, 97, never graduated from Grand Rapids Catholic Central High in 1936 like she was supposed to. Instead, in 1932, she was forced to leave school to take care of her siblings and her mother who was sick with cancer. However, thanks to a distant relative, Bekema recently received an honorary diploma, just 79 years after she was supposed to graduate.
“I thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Bekema told Mlive. “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.” Central Principal Greg Deja added, “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.”
(h/t: mlive)
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97-year-old Margaret Bekema burst into tears when she was presented with her graduation cap
She received an honorary highschool diploma 79 years after she was supposed to graduate
Bekema was forced to leave school at 17 to take care of her siblings and sick mother
Principal Greg Deja presented Bekema with her diploma
Touchingly, it’s dated the year Bekema would have graduated
“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”
Bekema even received her school letter!
Image credits: Emily Rose Bennett / AP
Watch a new report on the event below:
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What do you think ?
LindaHeath 9 years ago
Personally I think it was was wonderful and a very thoughtful thing to do. Kudos to the school and the principal. Enjoy your diploma Mrs Bekema you deserve it!
AnnaSalerno 9 years ago
I'll bet the school would have done this a lot sooner if they had known about it. I know how happy this lady must have been. I earned mine after 14 years having my principal present me with it. I went to night school on and off having lived in Europe for two years in between going to night school in PA and TX having to take my final course from Texas Tech in a correspondence course to get my final credit. I was so proud of myself for sticking to it while raising three children and taking care of a family. It meant the world to me.
person (i think) 7 years ago
You have the type of drive that is really inspirational to me. Thank you for sharing your story.
Load More Replies...
Fanchon Anderson 7 years ago
I send this article to all those that I come in contact with that are struggling with day to day stuff and trying to go back to school. There's no trying to go back to school. There's only getting there like she did. SHE didn't have a choice back then. But in today's world, there's no excuse there's SOOO many resources to get your diploma, certification, and/or degree plan. Financial aid, state assistance, etc.
JenniferGorman 9 years ago
My own beloved Gram had to leave high school to help support her family as well. She died almost ten years ago now in her 80's after a stroke took away her ability to speak, but never her spark or ability to fiercely communicate her love for her children and grandchildren and the nursing home's nurses. She would have loved this.
SusanRiley 9 years ago
With all the c**p that's on the Internet, it's great to hear a good story for once!
YoseTriarto 9 years ago
There's no other greater joy than receive what we should get it. But sometimes life is so unpredictable. Whatever the reason why the school doing for last 79 years it should be make Mrs Bekema crying from her deep heart. She is very very lucky as a graduated high school diploma. Many students around the world had the same experience-forced to leave the school due to the family matters-but has no opportunity to get their high school diploma certificate ever. Congratulation Mrs Bekema.
BrianZhong 9 years ago
Although this is very touching, I'm wondering why the school decided to do this when she's 97 years old. I mean it took 79 years to get an honorary diploma?
AmyBramblette 9 years ago
Perhaps no one thought about it until the one relative did it. I doubt the school knew.
Load More Replies...
LindaHeath 9 years ago
Personally I think it was was wonderful and a very thoughtful thing to do. Kudos to the school and the principal. Enjoy your diploma Mrs Bekema you deserve it!
AnnaSalerno 9 years ago
I'll bet the school would have done this a lot sooner if they had known about it. I know how happy this lady must have been. I earned mine after 14 years having my principal present me with it. I went to night school on and off having lived in Europe for two years in between going to night school in PA and TX having to take my final course from Texas Tech in a correspondence course to get my final credit. I was so proud of myself for sticking to it while raising three children and taking care of a family. It meant the world to me.
person (i think) 7 years ago
You have the type of drive that is really inspirational to me. Thank you for sharing your story.
Load More Replies... Fanchon Anderson 7 years ago
I send this article to all those that I come in contact with that are struggling with day to day stuff and trying to go back to school. There's no trying to go back to school. There's only getting there like she did. SHE didn't have a choice back then. But in today's world, there's no excuse there's SOOO many resources to get your diploma, certification, and/or degree plan. Financial aid, state assistance, etc.
JenniferGorman 9 years ago
My own beloved Gram had to leave high school to help support her family as well. She died almost ten years ago now in her 80's after a stroke took away her ability to speak, but never her spark or ability to fiercely communicate her love for her children and grandchildren and the nursing home's nurses. She would have loved this.
SusanRiley 9 years ago
With all the c**p that's on the Internet, it's great to hear a good story for once!
YoseTriarto 9 years ago
There's no other greater joy than receive what we should get it. But sometimes life is so unpredictable. Whatever the reason why the school doing for last 79 years it should be make Mrs Bekema crying from her deep heart. She is very very lucky as a graduated high school diploma. Many students around the world had the same experience-forced to leave the school due to the family matters-but has no opportunity to get their high school diploma certificate ever. Congratulation Mrs Bekema.
BrianZhong 9 years ago
Although this is very touching, I'm wondering why the school decided to do this when she's 97 years old. I mean it took 79 years to get an honorary diploma?
AmyBramblette 9 years ago
Perhaps no one thought about it until the one relative did it. I doubt the school knew.
Load More Replies... 
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