97-Year-Old Graduate: Ann Colagiovanni Gets High School Diploma at 97 [Video]

Ohio’s Ann Colagiovanni proved the old adage “it’s never too late to get an education” to be true this week as she finally received her high school diploma at the age of 97.

Colagiovanni, who quit school during the peak of the Depression in the 30s to work in her father’s meat market, received an honorary diploma Wednesday (Jun. 6) during a special ceremony at Shaker Heights High School in suburban Cleveland.

“It was the Depression years and working was more important than getting your education,” said Ann’s daughter, Emilia Colagiovanni Vinci. “She did what her father wanted her to do, even though she wanted to graduate. She put her father, her family, before herself.”

Seeing the diploma — dated June 1934 – the year she would have graduated — reportedly brought tears to the 97-year-old’s eyes.

“[Father would] be so happy to know that finally I’m going to be a graduate,” said Colagiovanni.

Ms Colagiovanni, however, had more to celebrate than her own graduation: Her grandson, Thomas Vinci, also received a diploma from the suburban Cleveland high school one day after his grandmother.

Although she did not walk with her grandson and the rest of the class of 2012, the Daily Mail writes that Ms. Colagiovanni cheered on the graduates from the sidelines while decked out in her graduation garbs.

“It’s a big moment for us,” Thomas Vinci said while watching his grandmother in her cap and gown. “She looks so cute in that thing. I don’t even really know what to think.”

For more on the heartwarming story of Ann Colagiovanni’s graduation, watch the following video below:

via Fox News