Chapter 32Rocco didn’t graduate.
The commencement was held in the gymnasium, which accommodated two thousand people, staff, students and their families. Two large industrial fans on either side of us kept the warm air moving.
Principal Ronald Reed had invited Milton’s own mayor, Shawn Porter, to speak during the ceremony, delivering an inspirational speech on faith, good will, and the drive to persevere in the difficulties we all will face on our long, exciting post high school journeys.
I noticed some of the students, mostly the girls, were crying and wiping their eyes at every word of the mayor’s speech. It was moving, I’d give Mr. Porter credit, but what was up with all the waterworks?
It wasn’t like the mayor was handing us all individual free passes to our chosen profession. Even
