WHS graduate receives diploma in special event

WESLACO — Standing on the stage of Latino Hall on Saturday night, Weslaco graduate Zhanette Gonzalez was all smiles as she finally received the fruits of more than a decade of hard work.

Although the excitement was a month overdue, Gonzalez was more than happy to accept her high school diploma during a special ceremony.

Due to illness, Gonzalez couldn't attend Weslaco High School's class of 2008 graduation ceremony on May 30. Just a few days before graduation, Gonzalez left school complaining of pain in her stomach and shortness of breath. Later that night, parents Odilia and Pablo Gonzalez took their 18-year-old daughter to Knapp Medical Center for immediate medical care.

"We didn't think I was going to have surgery, but out of nowhere that morning he just told me they were going to do surgery," Gonzalez said.

The need for emergency surgery dashed all hopes of being able to attend the graduation ceremony, Gonzalez said.

"I was real upset and sad," said Gonzalez, who graduated as an honor roll student, Texas scholar and Tech prep student. "It ruined my entire day. I was looking forward to graduation all year and experiencing it with my friends.

"In that last day, I didn't get to say goodbye to my friends," she said. "Your last day is your last day. Nothing can take that away. I didn't get to experience that."

But with the help of Weslaco High School Principal Isidoro Nieto, Gonzalez's bad experience turned from negative to positive.
Nieto said he's known Gonzalez since she was in elementary school.

After hearing of Gonzalez's situation through her parents Odilia and Pablo Gonzalez, Nieto accepted their invitation to present Zhanette with her diploma during a special ceremony.

Nieto sacrificed a few hours of his Saturday night to attend Gonzalez's graduation party and present her with the high school diploma in front of her family and close friends. Unlike the actual service at Bobby Lackey Stadium, Nieto presented Gonzalez with some kind words in addition to her actual diploma tucked inside the cover.

"It was a situation where she couldn't attend graduation because she was in the hospital," Nieto said. "I said it's no problem, I'll present (the diploma) to you."

Gonzalez said the ceremony helped ease the pain of missing her graduation.

"It was better," Gonzalez said. "I'm glad I'm here and healthy with my family and close friends."

Many of those who attended the event had trouble holding back their emotions, including mother Odilia Gonzalez, who was in tears afterward.

"She had a close call," Odilia said. "I guess I never expected something like this to happen. I really thought I was going to show up on graduation night and instead I showed up to surgery. It's like she said, ‘Mom I got to do everything except do the walk.' I think that's what hurt her the most."

Although she has yet to choose a major, Zhanette said she will attend South Texas College-Mid Valley Campus to get her basics before transferring to University of Texas-Pan American where she may study nursing.

Odilia Gonzalez said she reminded her daughter about a bigger and better ceremony that lies ahead after college.

"We definitely want to celebrate something huge for her," Odilia Gonzalez said. "I'm really looking forward to that."