Two Students At Delaware Valley Charter March At Graduation After Being Shot Earlier In The Year

By Pat Loeb

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - This is commencement season for the nearly 90 Philadelphia public and charter schools. Many of the thousands of graduating seniors had to overcome numerous obstacles to get to this day. Two of the graduates were shot, at school, by a classmate.

Relatives cheered wildly, smart phones aloft to snap pictures, as Delaware Valley Charter High School graduated the class of 2014.

"I'm overjoyed," one parent said. "This is a big accomplishment for my son. We all have our chests out today, being very thankful."

This was the 14th commencement but vice principal Rich McCulla says it was especially bittersweet.

"This was a very difficult year," McCulla said. "I'm proud of each and every one of these people graduating today."

A December shooting shocked the school community, forced new security measures and a lot of introspection. But none of that could take away the pride Tamir felt as he got ready to accept his diploma.

"Where I come from everybody don't graduate," he said. "I just feel blessed that I made it to this point."