The class of 1974 has finally crossed the stage to collect their diplomas, fifty years after a tornado warning forced Moore, Oklahoma, students’ high school graduation to be abruptly canceled.
The graduates’ chance to don gowns and blue caps and honor the youthful academic accomplishments of their generation came on Saturday.
The 500 students had talked about having a proper graduation ceremony for themselves for years, but the event from 50 years ago was never rescheduled.
Before the ceremony, a guy excitedly told The Oklahoman newspaper, “Our grandchildren are going to see us graduate.”
As night fell on May 23, 1974, a school administrator arrived as the senior class of high school settled into their seats at a football stadium.
A local announcer named Mike Wilson led the push to reschedule the celebration. “Maybe one song, maybe one speech, and then the superintendent gets up and says you graduated; you’re done,” Wilson told TV news.
The students fled the school in search of safety, hiding behind bleachers and getting soaked in rain while still wearing their formal clothing.
Since the celebration could not be rescheduled due to a scheduled school trip, graduates were instructed to pick up their diplomas in an unofficial manner from the gymnasium prior to the conclusion of the school year.
