Days After His Death, Mom Dons Cap and Gown to Receive Son's Diploma

Photo Courtesy of ABC7 Chicago

The mother of a high school senior killed the night of his prom did what he no longer could, and walked across the stage to receive his diploma.

Thornton Fractional North senior Aaron K. Dunigan, who quarterbacked Thornton’s football team, was a front-seat passenger in a car that crossed over the center line and struck a truck head-on, while driving home from a post-prom party on May 16. Both Dunigan and the 56-year-old driver of the other car were killed.

In tribute to her son, Kaye Jackson donned cap and gown the night of his graduation from the Calumet City high school and accepted his diploma. A photo shows Jackson gripping his diploma. It was “the least she could do” for her son’s graduation, Principal Dwayne Evans told ABC7 News.

“The crowd cheered, gave a standing ovation, and we presented her with a diploma that we put together with his picture on it,” Evans said. “She was very proud in the moment. She loved him and showed the love for her son even though he was not there.”

Jackson recounted her last moments with her son.

“I wanted him to go and enjoy his night,” Jackson told ABC News. “Not to say I wasn’t worried about him, I always worry about him. I wanted him to enjoy the best he could, that’s normal right? He said, ‘Mama, I love you and I’ll see you later.’”

“I said, ‘I love you too’ and that was it,” Jackson said.

Dunigan had planned to pursue his passion for football at Southern Illinois University. The driver of the vehicle—David Peden, 18, of Calumet City, was charged with DUI causing death and reckless homicide with a motor vehicle. He was released on $40,000 bail Tuesday and is scheduled to appear in the Cook County courthouse in Markham on June 8.

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