Graduation is one of the proudest moments of any highschool student’s life.
It’s a chance to take centre stage and show the world what you’ve accomplished.
But there are some people who the moment is just a little extra special for: the parents.
For Darien Borowski, a student at Oak Harbor High School, the big day was set to happen in May. That’s when he’d be able to walk across the stage in front of his friends, family and teachers.
But sadly, his father Terry was terminally ill, and wasn’t sure that he would be able to hold out long enough to see the ceremony.
The dad had been in hospital for two weeks when he confessed that he was worried he wouldn’t be able to see his son’s big moment.
“That was the first thing that he said when he started getting a little weaker, ‘I don’t think I’m going to make it for graduation,'” says his wife Michelle.
Terry told his fears to social worker Jennnifer DeWitt, and explained that seeing his son graduate was his last wish.
She realized the urgency of the situation, and decided to act immediately.
Posted by Darien Borowski on Tuesday, January 30, 2018
She contacted the school’s principal, proposing that they arrange a mock ceremony so that Tery could see his son graduate. The school board didn’t hesitate to agree, but wanted to take it a step further.
They started planning an early ceremony for Darien, and worked hard to make the moment feel as authentic as possible.
“We’ll do anything for our kids and their families,” says the school’s principal Cheryl Schell.
This was the second time that a similar ceremony was held in advance, and the school has repeatedly been praised for its commitment to the students and their loved ones.
Oak Harbor High School student graduates early to grant father's last wish https://t.co/DnyQR6mPWX pic.twitter.com/KMyP5AHDkm
— News Herald (@pcnewsherald) February 10, 2018
For dad Terry, the mock ceremony meant “the world”, and seeing Darien in his green cap and gown was a wonderful surprise.
“I’m so proud of you,” Terry told his son.
“Just seeing his father’s face — it made us very happy we’re here today,” says principal Schell. “As parents, we just want to know our kids are going to be OK. That they have a future and can take care of themselves. We have no doubt about that with Darien.”
After highschool Darien is planning to study towards a degree in welding or information technology.
There are a lot of moments in life we take for granted. This moving story shows how precious the time we have together truly is. Please share this heartwarming story and remind others to cherish the time they have with their loved ones!
