Michigan News: School Organizes Early Graduation for Student with Terminally Ill Father
Bob Chambers, a leukemia-stricken and terminally ill father, was able to witness his daughter graduate even if the graduation season is still three months away. This came after The Rockford Public Schools orchestrated an early graduation rite just for her, called "Pomp and Circumstance."
"My husband has always been involved with Bethany and her school," Melissa Chambers, wife of Bob, told Inside Edition. According to her, her husband's health condition has saddened her daughter Bethany as she thinks of future important events in her life, such as graduation and getting married, sans the presence of her father.
Originally, the Chambers matriarch only wanted the school to release her daughter's diploma earlier so that her dad could see it before he breathes his last air. Melissa never saw it coming that she will receive a "beautiful and mouth-watering cake" in lieu of the "piece of candy" she asked for. Just a few hours after making her intent known to the school, Melissa received a call from the school superintendent just hours later, informing her:
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"We're going to do more than a certificate. We're going to do a full graduation, Pomp and Circumstance. How does 7 (p.m.) sound?"
The school principal told the Chambers matriarch that it is certain for her daughter to graduate after all, thanks to the academic excellence she displays. Hence, the decision to give her more than just an early diploma.
It goes without saying that the piece of good news left Bethany in shock. Apparently, the surprise they meant for her dad also surprised her. Finally, Bethany had her graduation march earlier than the rest of her classmates that was witnessed by the people closest to her heart.
"They dressed me up in a cap and gown, and they had a full table set up with my diploma, my academic award plaque, and they set [everything] up in front of my dad so he could see it," Bethany said.
The early graduation rite, which was held at the comfort of the Chambers home in Rockford, Michigan, was attended by the school superintendent, principal, members of the school board, the tennis coach, the head counselor. It was, likewise, witnessed by Bethany's 95-year old greatgrandmother, her father's grandmother, via Skype.
