A Maryland school arranged an untraditional graduation ceremony for one of their seniors in order to honor her mother’s dying wish. On Thursday, Megan Sugg graduated from Glen Burnie High School a month early with the requisite cap and gown, flowers and speeches at her mother’s hospital bedside.
Darlene Sugg had been battling colorectal cancer for four years before she took a turn for the worse and her family realized that she likely wouldn’t live to see her daughter’s June 10th graduation. At that point, Megan’s father, Steve Sugg, accepted an offer from school guidance counselor Kristin Canevazzi to have a private ceremony while Darlene would still be aware of what was happening.
“I know how proud her mom is of her and we really wanted to give her family a special time,” Canevazzi told the Maryland Gazette. “And to really honor Megan, because as much as she’s had going on, she’s pushed through and is going to graduate high school.”
Principal Vickie Plitt read a special speech that she’d written especially for Megan and her mother. Darlene even managed to open her eyes for the touching words. According to NBC News, there was not a dry eye in the room. “My wife was glowing to see Megan graduate,”said Steve.
Darlene passed away two days later. “She was hanging on to see my proud moment,” said Megan. “She knew it meant a lot.”