Operation Recognition is a federal program to recognize veterans who did not receive their high school diploma. 

Community Relations Director Paula Foreman wants to make sure that alumni know they have the chance to receive their honorary diploma.

“In many cases, I think it would be families that would apply, and they could apply for the honorary diploma. That’s an important thing for families to attain. To become eligible, if a veteran served in World War two, the Korean War or Vietnam, the Board shall grant a diploma to a veteran who meets the applicable requirements of law and submits a letter of request,” Foreman said.  

According to Foreman, the idea of Operation Recognition was given by the director of the adult education program.

“This is intended for someone who didn’t finish high school and enlisted in the military for the purposes of service directly after high school,” Foreman said. “It was brought to the administration, and at the time is when we were going to do the dedication of the wall of fallen with Mr. Lowe, we thought it would be a great time to introduce it and formally recognize it.”

Foreman advises those who are eligible for Operation Recognition to apply for their honorary diploma. 

“We were hoping to get people that submitted to us, and I had one gentleman come to me at that event. I think he qualifies, but he never put his paperwork in. It was really the administration and the alumni association’s idea to formally announce the existence of Operation Recognition and hope we can maybe provide some closure for families who lost a loved one,” Foreman said. 

In the past, honorary diplomas have been given out at school board meetings. The Superintendent will submit to the Board for its approval the names of the veterans of World War two, the Korean War or Vietnam, who are eligible for a high school diploma. 

“In order to be honored, all they have to do is request it, and, once they make that application, it then goes to the school board,” Foreman said. “We’re hoping we get a group that we can do their own type of ceremony and around May, we can host a formal graduation ceremony for all of the families and all of the honoraries at the time. It’s still a work in progress to see if we get any applications.”