DENVER — For decades, 94-year-old Anita Ramirez Cruz and her brother, 95-year-old George Ramirez, watched their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren walk across many high school and college graduation stages.
But this time, it’s their turn.
"We're both very nervous," Cruz said.
George Ramirez attended Manual High School in the 1940s, but left to work to support his family. He was eventually drafted and served in the U.S. Army, spending the bulk of his military duty as a tank driver in France, Belgium and Germany during World War II.
"When you're young, you do things differently — just get into it and do it," Ramirez said.
Ramirez was honorably discharged, returned stateside and got married. He and his wife had seven children. All his children graduated from high school. Four of them earned college degrees.
Anita Ramirez Cruz also attended Manual. As a teen, she had to help financially support the family. She left school and became a live-in nanny for a family with three children for three years. Later on, Cruz got married.
"Well, times were different then, and I did not learn how to read," Cruz said. "Now, we think about it, I had dyslexia and it scared me to go to school. So, I quit."
She and her husband had three children. Because she was not able to finish high school, she always stressed the importance of education to her children and grandchildren. All of her children graduated from high school, with two of them earning college degrees.
Ramirez and Cruz received their honorary high school diplomas Wednesday morning in a ceremony at Manual with family, Manual's principal and district representatives.
"I think it's really awesome that they're able to do this still," said Ammon Prieto, Ramirez's granddaughter.
Prieto said her grandfather and great aunt always taught the family the values of a good education even though they never finished high school. She said these honorary diplomas are well-deserved.
"For them to get it, it's like showing you while you weren't able to finish, your hard work isn't going unnoticed and it's still very important," Prieto said.
Cruz and Ramirez left Manual High School with new cap and sash and a diploma to show everyone that it's never too late.
"It's something I never thought I'd do," Ramirez said.
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