WEEDSPORT -- It was a day that made Weedsport Central School District Board of Education member Norm Chirco proud.

Last week, Chirco, along with district superintendent Shaun O'Connor and other school administrators and staff, attended a ceremonial graduation for high school student Caitlin Green at her Weedsport home so her mother, battling colon cancer, could see her graduate.

The ceremony came just in time, as Green's mother, Linda MacDonald, passed away on April 29, just a day later.

"I saw (Linda)," Chirco said during a scheduled board meeting Monday. "She was making jokes during the whole thing, and within 24 hours she died. It was almost as if she was waiting for that.

"Someone had tremendous forethought to put that all together. It was a pretty proud moment for me."

Weedsport High School Principal Helen White said a student had suggested a ceremonial graduation and organized it.

Green wore her cap and gown, received her diploma and took family pictures, White said.

She applauded district leaders for giving MacDonald a chance to see her daughter graduate.

"It was a class act," she said. "These gentlemen acted more than professional, in my opinion. Their mothers would be very proud of them."

To read the full report see Tuesday's edition of The Citizen