Tearful Michigan woman, 97, gets high school diploma

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (FOX News) - A 97-year-old Michigan woman achieved a lifelong goal last week as she received a high school diploma -- eight decades after family responsibilities forced her to drop out and abandon her education.

Margaret Bekema, 97, got all choked up when she was presented with a school letter and a diploma honoring her as an official Catholic Central High School alumna, class of 1936, Fox 17 reported Friday.

"How can I express myself?" Bekema said through the tears. "I don't know how to express my thanks."

As she became more emotional, she said: "I'm sorry. I'm just plain chicken."

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