TRAVERSE CITY — It’s graduation season and the Traverse City Area Public School District is offering veterans, of certain wars, the opportunity to receive an honorary diploma and be part of the 2025 commencement.
Under Michigan law, TCAPS and school districts around the state, can give out honorary high school diplomas to veterans of World War II, the Korean War and the War in Vietnam.
These veterans may have had to leave high school early for military service and never received their degree.
They can apply to get their certificates and even participate in graduation ceremonies or have their own smaller celebration.
“Over time, we still have some that maybe want that as a component to close the chapter on getting that high school degree. Some may even want it for a work requirement as they are maybe still working. Some of the later years of their life and some want to do that because they had a child or a grandchild even do it,” said TCAPS Superintendent, Dr. John VanWagoner.
Family members of veterans, who have passed on, may apply for the diplomas on their behalf.
You can contact the Traverse City Area Public Schools main office for more information or the main public school office where you live.