Ferd Amartey and family.
DERBY — Officials at the high school held a special graduation ceremony on June 9 to honor a senior entering the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.
The rest of Ferdinando ‘Ferd’ Amartey’s classmates are scheduled to graduate Friday (June 13). However, Amartey’s schedule changed so that he had to report to the Marines’ 13-week boot camp earlier than planned. He’s not missing classes because classes for seniors ended last week.
School and district officials wanted to give Amartey the chance to wear his cap and gown and to accept his diploma, so they organized a graduation ceremony in the high school auditorium, according to posts on social media.
“During a special ceremony organized by DHS Principal Jen Olson and her staff, Ferd received his high school diploma. But he left with more than just the diploma. He left with a warm, emotional sendoff from his family and dozens of his teammates and friends, as well as his teachers and coaches,” according to a Facebook post from running coach Joe Musante.
Amartey’s family was by his side during the graduation ceremony.
The new Derby High School graduate was scheduled to leave Derby for the Marine Reserves last night (June 9). He is scheduled to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison in January.
