By Jay Chilton, CIJ
Not all high school students have a clear path to graduation. Some make mistakes that set them back. Others have difficulty functioning in a traditional classroom. Others suffer injury or illness, making graduation in the standard setting impossible.
Dozens of students who decided to overcome obstacles and earn their high school equivalency diploma were honored on the campus of Oklahoma City Community College on Friday, June 16, before friends and family. The graduates—some of whom were well into their 20s or 30s—walked across the stage of OCCC’s Visual and Performing Arts Center to cheers and congratulatory shouts, culminating in the ceremonial moving of the tassel to the left side their mortarboard hats, symbolizing movement from candidate to graduate.
OCCC President Jerry L. Steward congratulates the high school equivalency graduates during the commencement ceremony at Oklahoma City Community College Friday, June 16, 2017. Jay Chilton / CIJ
A high school equivalency graduate walks across the stage with his diploma during the commencement ceremony at Oklahoma City Community College Friday, June 16, 2017. Jay Chilton / CIJ
A high school equivalency graduate accepts her diploma from OCCC President Jerry L. Steward, right, during the commencement ceremony at Oklahoma City Community College Friday, June 16, 2017. Jay Chilton / CIJ
New high school equivalency graduates move their tassels across their mortarboards following the commencement ceremony at Oklahoma City Community College Friday, June 16, 2017. Jay Chilton / CIJ
A high school equivalency graduate accepts her diploma from OCCC President Jerry L. Steward, right, during the commencement ceremony at Oklahoma City Community College Friday, June 16, 2017. Jay Chilton / CIJ
New high school equivalency graduates listen to the keynote address during the commencement ceremony at Oklahoma City Community College Friday, June 16, 2017. Jay Chilton / CIJ
New high school equivalency graduates listen to the keynote address during the commencement ceremony at Oklahoma City Community College Friday, June 16, 2017. Jay Chilton / CIJ
A high school equivalency graduate walks across the stage with her diploma during the commencement ceremony at Oklahoma City Community College Friday, June 16, 2017. Jay Chilton / CIJ
Attendees applaud the new high school equivalency graduates during the commencement ceremony at Oklahoma City Community College Friday, June 16, 2017. Jay Chilton / CIJ
OCCC's director of community outreach and education, Alan Dale, emcees the high school equivalency graduation ceremony at Oklahoma City Community College Friday, June 16, 2017. Jay Chilton / CIJ