"Oh, yeah, I’m excited," said Sams, though he was 'just a little bit' nervous about the graduation.
Ted Sams, 78, received his graduation alongside students of the San Gabriel High School class of 2022 on May 27, 60 years after he was in high school.
The ceremony took place at Rose Bowls in Pasadena, reports The Pasadena-Star News. Sams spoke about his graduation, "Oh, yeah, I’m excited." He was asked if he was nervous about the ceremony and he replied, "Ah, just a little bit, you know. But once I get in the line and settled and all that stuff, I think it’ll be OK. The one thing that I’m really glad about is that it’s going to be over here pretty soon."
He added, "This thing got so out of hand, I can’t believe it." Sams was a senior in high school in 1962, but a series of setbacks, including a $4.80 book charge, forced him to drop out without a diploma, per PEOPLE.
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' problems began in 1962 when he was suspended only five days before the conclusion of the school year for just "screwing around." He missed a critical final test because of the ordeal which he made up during the summer. However, there was another obstruction in the way of his diploma. He told KABC-TV, "When I went back with my grade. they wouldn't give me my diploma because I owed $4.80 for a book and so I just walked away and said forget it."
For 60 years, Ted Sams regretted missing his high school graduation.
— TUKO.co.ke | The Heartbeat of Kenya (@Tuko_co_ke) June 3, 2022
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
Sams has since regretted not walking in his own high school graduation. "Over the years, I complained to my kids a number of times about how $4.80 kept me from having my diploma."
After hearing their dad's story multiple times, his daughters Sherry and Sally decided to call his school to do something about the situation. The employees at the school left no stone unturned to find Sams’ original diploma from 60 years earlier. After finding the diploma, principal Debbie Stone invited Sams to walk with the class of ’22.
Finally, his wife, daughters Sherry and Sally and their husbands attended Sams' graduation ceremony. Sherry said, "Actually, when he walked and got his diploma, every person on that stage hugged him and then the whole class applauded for him." She added, "Everyone, and I think most of the people in the stands, too, were cheering and applauding."
Sally caught this beautiful moment on camera. She said, "Just to see this fulfilled, I guess, was, yeah, got choked up a bit. Especially when I was filming it, everybody congratulating him, shaking his hand and then the whole crowd cheering for him was very special. It was fun."
For 60 years, Ted Sams regretted missing his high school graduation.
— AP Oddities (@AP_Oddities) May 31, 2022
Now 78, Sams can finally call himself a graduate after donning a cap and gown and receiving his diploma Friday with the class of 2022 at Southern California's San Gabriel High School. https://t.co/tVas9bxgBC
In the days following the graduation, the Alhambra Unified School District recognized Sams' success on Facebook. They wrote in the caption, "We enjoyed meeting you and your beautiful family and are thrilled to have helped make your 60-year-old dream come true."
References:
https://abc7.com/ted-sams-san-gabriel-high-school-graduate-78-year-old-graduation-ceremony/11908761/
https://www.facebook.com/alhambrausd/posts/422717149862956
Cover Image Source: Alhambra Unified School District/Facebook
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