Parkland Families Accept Victim's Diplomas
Yesterday, the seniors of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School walked across the stage in Parkland, Florida to receive their diplomas without four of their classmates. Posthumous diplomas were given in honor of the students who were killed when a gunman opened fire on their school in February.
Joaquin Oliver was one of the victims, and his mother wore a bright yellow shirt that read "THIS SHOULD BE MY SON" as she collected her son's graduation items.
The parents of Joaquin Oliver, one of the students slain in the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in February, walk on stage during graduation to accept his diploma.
Four posthumous diplomas were handed out at the ceremony. https://t.co/vR71huqg3Jpic.twitter.com/nGgkbSQqTR
- ABC News (@ABC) June 4, 2018
At my Godson’s graduation Marjory Stoneman Douglas. Just had to share this pic of the Mom of Joaquin Oliver, who is supposed to be accepting his diploma himself. pic.twitter.com/dFGb7Z9Pfp
- Grizelle DeLosReyes (@Grizelletogo) June 3, 2018
Oliver, Nicholas Dworet, Carmen Schentrup, and Meadow Pollack were all seniors who died in the shooting. Pollack's brother Hunter accepted her diploma on her behalf, along with her longtime boyfriend and three cousins.
Today, Is the day my sister has been waiting for. Graduation where she would’ve been getting her diploma and be on her way to attend college. This is a sad day, as I will be walking stage to get her diploma for her.
- Hunter Pollack (@PollackHunter) June 3, 2018
@PollackHunter Hunter nicely done. Thinking of you. #proudpic.twitter.com/CamrFsKdsb
- Michael Udine (@Michaeludine) June 3, 2018
MSD students honored their classmates in a variety of ways. David Hogg, who became a face of the Never Again movement after the shooting in February, wore a $1.05 price tag on his cap. It symbolizes the amount of money each student in Florida is worth to Senator Marco Rubio, based on the money he's accepted from the National Rifle Association divided by the number of students in Florida.
Thanks for the tassel @marcorubiopic.twitter.com/xZPFBhgFOm
- David Hogg (@davidhogg111) June 3, 2018
Other students decorated their caps with pictures of the victims, and students wore sashes that said "MSD STRONG" on them, which became a rallying cry for the school in the wake of the shooting.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting victim Meadow Pollack’s best friend Carly Ogozaly sent CNN this photo of her mortar board at graduation today commemorating the life of her best friend. pic.twitter.com/8YNxrqOOh0
- Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) June 3, 2018
Jimmy Fallon made a surprise appearance to give the commencement address, and he spoke about how much hope the MSD students gave him.
Look who came to honor the Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS Class of 2018!!! @jimmyfallon@FallonTonight@browardschools@PrincipalMSD#MSDSTRONG#NeverAgainpic.twitter.com/okEm59JVlN
- BCPS OSPA Chief (@BCPSChiefOSPA) June 3, 2018
“Every bad experience can have something good come out of it,” he told the graduates. “You guys have already proved that. You took something horrific - instead of letting it stop you, you started a movement, not just here in Florida but around the whole world. The whole world has heard your voice and that was you making a choice. And that was you choosing hope over fear.”
The Parkland students who planned the March For Our Lives will announce their next project at a news conference on Monday.
“When something feels hard, remember that it gets better,” Fallon concluded his speech by saying. “Choose to move forward. Don’t let anything stop you.”
Follow Emma on Instagram.
You Might Also Like
