…As 90-Year-Old Michigan Man Receives Honorary High School Diploma Too
A 97-year-old Utah woman was presented with her high school diploma eight decades after she dropped out to take care of her family.
Hanna resident Kathryn Cole ended up one English credit shy of graduation when she left school in the 1940s to help take care of her family after her grandfather’s death.
“The day that our finals were being given was the date of his funeral,” Cole told KUTV.
Cole has spent the last few years working with students at Tabiona Public Schools to improve their reading skills.
The school district determined Cole’s work with the students qualified her to earn her missing English credit, and she was presented with a diploma at Tabiona High School’s graduation ceremony.
“This is what I’ve been wanting my whole life, and I haven’t been able to get it,” Cole said. “It’s never too late to keep learning.”
Cole said she plans to continue working with students in the district for as long as she is able.
An even older student, 106-year-old Fred Allen “Gramps” Smalls, was presented with an honorary diploma from Georgetown High School in South Carolina earlier this year.
The special ceremony, attended by more than 100 people, was the culmination of years of efforts by Smalls’ granddaughter, Birdella Kinney.
In a related development, a Michigan man who left school to fight in the Korean War finally received his high school diploma at age 90.
Portage Public Schools said in a news release that Bob Bonhomme was issued an honorary high school diploma from Portage Central High School, where he attended classes before being drafted into the military in 1951.
Bonhomme said he had often considered returning to school, but over the years his attentions were focused on his 40-year career at a paper mill and raising his four children.
“Life just always got in the way,” Bonhomme said.
Bonhomme was having breakfast with his daughter-in-law, Diane Bonhomme, when she asked him about his bucket list.
“I wish I had graduated and gone to prom,” Bonhomme answered.
His daughter-in-law soon contacted Portage Public Schools in the hopes of making his wish for a diploma come true.
“I saw the desire in his eyes when he talked about it,” she said. “Before his life was over, I wanted to make sure he got to enjoy and do those things.”
She spoke with Portage Public Schools Superintendent Mark Bielang, and soon the elder Bonhomme was being presented with his diploma Monday at a meeting of the local Board of Education.
“We are honored to give Bob his diploma, something he sacrificed years ago to serve his family and country,” Bielang said. “Thank you for your service to our country.”
