Macon student “graduates” as part of mother’s dying wish

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Macon woman’s dying wish is to see her oldest daughter graduate from high school. It came true Friday during a special ceremony the family and school district will never forget.

Graduating from high school is a big day in every student’s life.

“I’m happy,” Westside High School senior Mercedes Sallette said.

But it is more than just a graduation for Sallette.

“It means a lot to me because I want my mom to see me graduate,” she said.

Mercedes tells 41NBC her mother Monique was diagnosed with colon cancer three years ago. She says doctors told her she wouldn’t make it to May, when the school’s commencement ceremony is scheduled.

It is Monique’s dying wish to see Mercedes graduate.

“I just said, ‘Oh we can make that happen,’” Westside High School Prinicpal Julia Daniely said.

Daniely says with the help from Pine Pointe Hospice and the Bibb County School District, they held a mock graduation ceremony so Monique’s wish could come true.

“This is something that I think Ms. Monique will cherish in her last days,” Daniely said.

The educator promised Mercedes’ mother the school will take care of her and her two younger brothers, 11-year-old Marquis and 15-year-old Markel.

“She [Monique] knows that we’re going to do what’s best for her and the other two boys,” Daniely said. “We will make sure that they get their education, that they go into a direction of college or career or tech or whatever.”

It was a very emotional day for family and friends as they celebrated Mercedes’ success. It was also comforting for a mother who is leaving the world too soon.

Mercedes is on track to graduate this year. She wants to go into the Air Force and become a pilot.