Early Graduation Honors for Ailing Student

Eighteen-year-old Connor Olson of Tonganoxie, Kansas spent the past year fighting bone cancer. Earlier this month, he suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed on one side. But he also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and was looking forward to graduating from high school. Last week, Tonganoxie High School held an early graduation ceremony for Connor in which he was the only graduate.

The high school let out early Thursday so that Connor’s friends could watch him get his diploma.

So by the time he made his way into the auditorium, more than 500 people — classmates, neighbors, school board members, people who have raised money for his medical bills — were waiting for him.

Connor’s teachers, wearing black graduation gowns, stood in a big semicircle in front of the stage, most of them blinking back and wiping tears from their eyes.

Even though the stage has a lift, Connor's friends carried his wheelchair to the stage where he received his diploma. Speakers included the senior class president and a representative of the University of Kansas football team. The school band played the national anthem and a slide show of Connor's school days was shown. After he received his diploma, he went home with his parents and hospice nurse. http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/15/1880739_tonganoxie-holds-special-graduation.html (with video) -via Fark

Connor died a week later. http://www.kansascity.com/2010/04/21/1894385_tonganoxie-student-who-courageously.html

(image credit: John Sleezer)