Florida Student Accepts High School Diploma From Hospice Bed

RUSKIN, FL — As the calendar flipped to January 2020, Lennard High School senior Richard Canales Calles had just one resolution. He was determined to be the first member of his family to graduate from high school.

His teachers said he was obsessed with keeping up his grades so that one day he could don a cap and gown and march to the music of "Pomp and Circumstance."

"He is more determined than any student I have ever met," said teacher Sandy Brogden Marshall.

Achieving that goal didn't come easily for the teen, however.

In August 2018, Calles, the oldest of four siblings, was diagnosed with bone cancer. Suddenly, his life was turned into a series of medical treatments, tests and hospitalizations.

Between the cancer treatments, Marshall said teacher Olga Perez helped the teen keep his eye on the prize -- a high school diploma.

Perez' "determination to advocate for Richard is beyond inspiring," said Marshall.

But two months before Lennard's Class of 2020 was due to graduate, Calles received the news he'd been dreading. The bone cancer had progressed. His doctors said he'd never live to see his graduation day. He was placed in hospice care.

Nevertheless, Calles held onto his dream of receiving his high school diploma to "make his mother proud." And teachers Marshall, Perez and Melanie Davis were consumed with making it happen.

Hillsborough County School District

On Wednesday, Calles dressed in his cap and gown and, with a recording of "Pomp and Circumstance" playing in the background, Lennard High School Principal Denise Savino presented Calles with his disploma in his hospice center bed.

Too emotional to speak, his mother, Veronica, stood next to him, grabbing tissues to wipe away her tears.

Also attending the small ceremony was newly appointed School Superintendent Addison Davis and Hillsborough County School Board chairwoman Melissa Snively, who officially declared Calles a graduate of Lennard High School's Class of 2020.

A group of friends and supporters waved banners and cheered for Calles from outside his window. But one supporter was granted access to the teen's room.

"This is the most important person because he is the first graduate of 2020 in Hillsborough County Schools," said WWE Superstar Titus O'Neil, who made a surprise visit to see Calles.

Davis said it was the "greatest day I've had in Hillsborough County" since assuming the role of superintendent four weeks ago.

"When you get a chance to give a young man the diploma he has dreamed about his entire life, it was so emotion," said Davis. "When we talk about life and all the pressing issues around us, this makes sure we look around us and know that we value life, that we value our family members and that we value each other. These are the moments that we will remember forever."