Walking across the graduation stage is something our students dream about as kids
. For David Shuker, it's a dream he's held onto for 71 years.
In 1963, David was a junior at Abraham Lincoln High School, when he made the difficult decision to leave school and join the military. Although his guidance counselor strongly urged him to stay, David was dealing with problems at home and felt joining the Army was his only solution.
David was stationed in Germany, where he remembers sleepless nights picturing his life back in Denver.
"When I left and went into the service, I was thinking 'What have I done?'" said David. "I did not get to go to senior prom. I didn't get my letter jacket. The thing I missed most of all was
-- these kids I grew up with
-- I didn't get to walk down the aisle with them to graduate."
David completed three years of service in the military and returned stateside, where he had a family and a full life. But there was one missing piece to his story he couldn't let go of -- he never got to graduate.
Finally, curiosity got the best of him and he reconnected with his alma mater, including secretary
Iveth Ramirez Fernandez. Soon, to David's surprise, Iveth extended an opportunity to David he'd waited for his entire life: to walk across the commencement stage during the Abraham Lincoln graduation. She even made David an invitation, changing the Class of 2017 to the Class of 1964.
Holding a graduation cap in his hand, David was overcome with emotion when thinking about the June 1 ceremony.
"All this time I've wanted this," he said, looking at the cap. "I wanted that diploma. To touch this is another world to me. It's a dream come true."
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Seniors from CEC Early College walked across the graduation stage Tuesday.
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For so many of our students, graduation is just that -- a dream come true for a brighter future and a doorway to the world of opportunity in front of them. From the day our kids step into a DPS classroom, we provide them supports and
opportunities to make sure they're on the path to graduation and future success, so all our students can achieve at the highest levels
-- ready for college, careers and life.
The Class of 2017 will usher thousands of graduates across the commencement
stage. Of them:
- 1,134 will have taken concurrent enrollment classes to earned college credits.
- 1,747 enrolled in an Advanced Placement class this year.
- More than 400 will receive the Seal of Biliteracy for proving proficiency in two languages.
- Graduates will receive $65,259,591 in scholarships to continue their education in college.
Congratulations to all of our graduates, their families, their teachers and all members of Team DPS who helped get them here. Enjoy this moment and all the possibilities it will bring. As our honorary graduate David put it:
"There's a whole big world out there. Keep learning. I'm 71 and I'm still learning. Enjoy the world and enjoy your life."
