Community School Director Tom Swan presents a graduation cap to Hillary Adams in front of the school's Wall of Honor, a salute to all graduates this school year. Luisa Zavala, another recent Community School grad, tries on her graduation gear.
A funny thing happened to Tom Swan on Monday while helping set up a party to celebrate Graduate No. 50 for the Pasadena ISD's Community School.
Graduate No. 51 showed up.
Swan, the director of the school, played host to students, faculty, Board of Trustees member Jack Bailey and other district officials for a cake-and-cookies commemoration of the graduation milestone.
Since the school was restructured last August to transform its night-school approach into a day-time curriculum, 50 students have earned their high school diplomas through the program.
Although the school doesn't formally number the graduates, Swan presented a Sam Rayburn High cap and gown on Monday to Hillary Adams, who finished her course work recently at Community School.
Immediately after that, Luisa Zavala reported in with enough credits to have her picture taken as a Pasadena High graduate.
"That makes 51," Swan said with a smile.
All Community School graduates are honored with a framed photo on a Wall of Honor near the entrance.
"This is a big day for Community School," Swan told students.
Community School provides students who leave high school just short of meeting graduation requirements with an opportunity to make up credits in a condensed day-time format.
Five of the school's graduates are currently enrolled in junior-college courses at San Jacinto College.
