Ohio woman, 99, receives high school diploma 81 years after dropping out during WWII

A 99-year-old Ohio woman who dropped out of high school during World War II received a life-fulfilling surprise when she received her diploma during a special ceremony last week.

Georgia McGarry thought she and a pal were going to grab dinner on Thursday, but instead walked into a Switzerland of Ohio Local School District building where she was awarded the accolade – 80 years after she was supposed to.

“It means an awful lot, because that was a long time ago – 1944,” McGarry told WTOV.

McGarry left high school in 1943 during her junior year because her family needed her to work as World War II raged on overseas. She worked at a pharmacy and then later as a janitor with her husband, but she always dreamt of graduating high school.

Her friend, Marie Adams, was aware of this goal and reached out to the school district for help.

“This has been something she’s wanted her whole life, and being 99 years old I thought it was important that she get her diploma,” Adams told the station.

Adams told McGarry the two were going out to dinner last Thursday, but instead, she entered the school building and started to wonder what was going on, the Times Leader reported.

Loved ones and friends were on hand as Superintendent Phil Ackerman handed her the diploma – dated May 19, 1944 from Woodsfield High School on the day she was supposed to celebrate the milestone. McGarry also received a cap and gown during the special ceremony.   

She received a diploma dated 1944 instead of 2024 because of a provision in Ohio Revised Code that makes an exception for women who left high school to join the workforce during the war, the newspaper reported.

“This shows anybody that it’s never too late,” Ackerman told the news outlet. 

“As I said, to set goals or to finish your degree or to reach your dreams, and for her to do that at 99 years old, shows any of us that it’s never too late to make a positive change or reach a goal in your life.”

McGarry, who still lives in Woodsfield and turns 100 in a few months, was euphoric, saying the long awaited achievement means a lot to her.

“And I hope I enjoy it for a while,” she reportedly said. “I really do.”