School district will award diplomas to veterans

Staff report

STRUTHERS

High-school dropouts who contributed to the efforts in World War II, the Korean conflict, and the Vietnam War may qualify to receive a high school diploma.

At no cost, the Struthers City School District will grant honorary diplomas to veterans and women who qualify during the graduation ceremony June 7.

“They paid well in advance for that diploma,” said Joseph Nohra, Struthers superintendent. “We’ll take them as long as we can.”

In 2003, the state Legislature passed legislation to allow school boards to issue a high-school diploma for veterans of the three previously mentioned conflicts. It also includes women who entered the workforce to take care of their families during those conflicts.

“Struthers has taken it and really embraced it,” said Dick Dale, a spokesman for the Struthers Fallen Soldier Project, which was approached by the school district to locate veterans.

Veterans who attended the school district or are currently living in Struthers are eligible but must provide a DD-214 – a copy of the veteran’s discharge – to indicate honorable service during any of those conflicts, and their school transcripts. A relative also can do this on behalf of a deceased veteran, which would be awarded posthumously. To participate in the graduation ceremony, applications must be received by early June before commencement.

Struthers police Capt. Pat Bundy, Fallen Soldier’s researcher, said they have found seven veterans so far.