TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - Wednesday night was a time for tassel turning across Tucson high schools. Nearly 2,600 seniors graduated from Tucson Unified School District.
Tucson High School was the district's largest graduation ceremony with almost 600 students receiving their high school diploma. A cheating scandal kept 38 seniors from graduating with their class.
Hundreds of graduating seniors filled the field at Tucson High, all of them were wearing their red caps and gowns. Family and friends filled the stands. Some of them brought large cutouts of their graduate's faces, others wore matching shirts spelling out a senior's name.
"I'm probably going to miss Tucson High as a whole because I made a lot of friends here and I'm probably not going to see most of them again," said Simeon Roth. Roth says he will be attending the University of Arizona next year. He wants to work with computers.
One thing you learn at graduation ceremonies is the number of stories students can tell about high school, and the significance of earning their diploma.
"I'm the first kid from my mom and dad to graduate high school, and they didn't, so it is exciting," said Omoye Brown. She will also attend the University of Arizona.
There were 13 total graduation ceremonies at TUSD schools on Wednesday.
About 20 seniors graduated from Project MORE High School, many of them came up through the Steps to Success program which helps get kids back in school to earn their diploma.
"I never thought I was going to be able to do it. It seemed like it was a dream going to waste, but it wasn't and I did it," said Enrique Garcia. He says he will attend Pima Community College and hopes to eventually work in the fire service.
Congratulations to the class of 2016!
