78-YO Man Gets High-School Diploma After 60 Years | He Was Denied Because He Owed $4.80 for a Book
On May 27, Ted Sams, 78, earned his high school diploma with kids from the San Gabriel High School class of 2022, 60 years after he graduated.
According to The Pasadena-Star News, the ceremony took place at the Rose Bowls in Pasadena. “Oh, sure, I’m excited,” Sams said of his graduation. When asked if he was worried about the ceremony, he said, “Just a smidgeon, you see. But I think it’ll be fine once I get in line and established and all that. One thing I’m particularly looking forward to is the fact that it’ll be here shortly.”
“This thing got so out of hand, I can’t believe it,” he continued. According to PEOPLE, Sams was a senior in high school in 1962 when he was forced to drop out without a diploma due to a series of setbacks, including a $4.80 book price.
Calif. man finally receives high school diploma 6 decades after he was denied due to book fee. Ted Sams was expected to graduate in 1962 but walked away empty handed after refusing to pay $4.80 https://t.co/pnB5W9K6nJ pic.twitter.com/tUrsulqjua
— Stephanie. (@qsteph) June 2, 2022
Sams’ issues began in 1962, when he was suspended for “screwing around” just five days before the end of the school year. Because of the trauma, he missed a crucial final exam, which he made up during the summer. But there was one more stumbling block in the road of his diploma. “They wouldn’t give me my certificate because I owing $4.80 for a book,” he told KABC-TV. “So I just walked away and said about it,” he claimed.
For 60 years, Ted Sams regretted missing his high school graduation.
Sams' trouble began when he was suspended just five days before the end of the school year.
The ordeal forced him to miss an important final exam.#tukonewshttps://t.co/R5ZETLEwYU
— TUKO.co.ke | The Heartbeat of Kenya (@Tuko_co_ke) June 3, 2022
Sams has since come to regret not being able to attend his own high school graduation. “I’ve complained to my kids a few times over the years about how $4.80 delayed me from getting my diploma.”
Sherry and Sally, his daughters, after hearing their father’s story several times, decided to contact his school to take action. The staff at the institution went to great lengths to locate Sams’ original diploma from 60 years ago. Principal Debbie Stone encouraged Sams to walk with the class of ’22 when she found the diploma.
Finally, Sams’ graduation ceremony was attended by his wife, daughters Sherry and Sally, and their husbands. “Actually, when he walked and received his graduation, everyone on that stage hugged him, and then the entire class applauded for him,” Sherry added. “Everyone, and I believe most of the people in the stands, too, were cheering and applauding,” she continued.
Sally captured this lovely moment on film. “She stated,” she explained “I got choked up a little just seeing this come to fruition. Everyone praising him, shaking his hand, and then the entire audience applauding for him was incredibly special, especially since I was shooting it. It was enjoyable.”
The Alhambra Unified School District celebrated Sams’ accomplishments on Facebook in the days following his graduation. “We enjoyed meeting you and your wonderful family and are delighted to have helped make your 60-year-old dream come true,” they wrote in the post.
Source: discover.lessonslearnedinlife.com