Graduation rule waived for Gulf student
The following is an excerpt of an article which
appeared in the Tampa Tribune.
By RONNIE BLAIR
GULF HIGH SCHOOL, June 2, 2000 - At Gulf High in New Port Richey, Nicholas Evans will march in the
ceremony with his friends, even though he won't receive a diploma.
Evans, 18, suffered a stroke in December after an operation to remove
a cyst from his brain. The stroke left him with memory lapses and
unable to finish the credits he needed to graduate.
His mother, Tena Evans, pushed the school district to waive a rule
that prohibits students who haven't earned enough credits from
participating in the ceremony.
Citing the extraordinary circumstances, the school district agreed.
"We're excited," Tena Evans said.
She also has invited family and friends to a graduation celebration
for her son Saturday.
Evans said three friends - Todd Cronin, Nick Alvarez and Richard
Johnson, all Gulf High seniors - have continued to spend time with
Nicholas and offer support through his ordeal.
Evans said Nicholas has improved but still has a long way to go. With
the help of others, she tries to keep him active. A teacher comes by
to offer him homebound instruction. He audited a class twice a week
at Gulf High. And Cronin helped him get a job folding boxes at a
pizza restaurant.
