Teen cancer survivor's wish to walk at graduation denied

https://www.yahoo.com/news/teen-cancer-survivors-wish-walk-graduation-denied-192943430.html?nhp=1

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Some criticized a suburban Phoenix high school for not allowing a student diagnosed with cancer to walk with his graduating class after he worked to keep up with classes through treatment.

Stephen Dwyer withdrew from school his junior year to receive a life-saving bone marrow transplant for leukemia. Dwyer, who is student body president, is 2 ½ credits short of graduating and will finish in December.

A community Facebook page for Dwyer says the teen wanted to sit on the field in a cap and gown alongside his classmates Thursday but didn't ask to receive a diploma or even walk across the stage. After numerous meetings with the district superintendent and school board members, his request was denied.

He led seniors at Dobson High School in Mesa onto the field for commencement but then sat in the stands. He donned a cap and gown after the ceremony so he could take pictures with classmates.

Several people attended the ceremony with signs supporting Dwyer and wore orange shirts, the color representing leukemia awareness.