EDINBURG – Dolia Gonzalez stood in a crowd of seniors at Edinburg High School. Two months shy of her 88th birthday, she was doing something she never expected. Wearing a red graduation gown and mortarboard, she was about to receive an honorary high school diploma.

Edinburg CISD Superintendent Rene Gutierrez said the timing was just right, as the school district is marking its centennial. “We are celebrating 100 years of educating our community and recognizing our community leaders,” he said.

Gonzalez is a familiar face to most of the community. Her son Sgt. Alfredo “Freddy” Gonzalez was a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient. He died in the Vietnam War and was recognized with several honors. A  Navy warship and elementary school are named after him.

Related Link: Sgt. Freddy Gonzalez Mural Unveiled at H-E-B

Similar to many of her time, she had to quit school and work to help support her family. “We didn't have much, but we had a lot of fun,” she recalled. “We enjoyed our life.”

"I said, ‘The only thing I regret is that I never graduated from high school.’ And then I found out they're going to put me in a graduation gown,” she told us.

Gonzalez said she stresses the importance of education to others. "I've been telling them to make sure they go to school. Graduate from high school. Go to college. Educate yourself,” she said.

Now, like her son, Gonzalez is a graduate of Edinburg High School.

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