Florence Falcons send off more than two dozen in summer graduation

FLORENCE, AL (WAFF) - More than two dozen Florence High School students received their diplomas Friday during a special summer graduation.

Smiles and tears were seen throughout the gymnasium as students, parents and teachers reflected on how far each of them have come.

For some, they say graduation was never an option until the school refused to give up on them.

"I feel like with a diploma I got a better chance on doing anything I can, anything I want to basically," said Matthew Gilbert, FHS Graduate.

Some students said the school reached out to them, and that made all the difference.

"When I realized I was failin',  I didn't go to them they came to me because they noticed it as well," explained FHS Graduate Donesha Hayes. "They didn't have to help me but they did. I'm really grateful for them helping me because without them I would not be here to walk across today."

Seventeen students received their diplomas and met the standards through a rigorous summer school program through the Florence City School District.

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