After being diagnosed with terminal prostate cancer, 68-year-old Alfred La’Cap didn’t think he’d get to see his 17-year-old son graduate from high school. He was told it was unlikely he’d make it to May, which is around the time his youngest son would officially receive his diploma. But thanks to school administrators, Alfred was able to witness the milestone.
CNN reports officials at Long Beach High School in Mississippi conducted an early graduation ceremony specifically for Alfred’s son, Noah. School faculty, friends, and family gathered on the La’Cap’s driveway where the small and emotional ceremony took place. Noah was dressed in his red cap and gown, while “Pomp and Circumstance” played through someone’s cellphone.
“Considering the circumstances, I felt like if we can bring a little joy to a family, then we're happy to do that," Principal Larry Ramsey told CNN affiliate WLOX.
At the end of the ceremony, Noah tossed his cap in the air before placing it on his father’s lap. The student opened up about the bittersweet moment.
“There's been times where I couldn't focus on school because I was thinking about him all the time,” he said, “but I persevered because I'm supposed to graduate for him.”
You can see footage from the graduation ceremony in the video above.
