When the Class of 2022 of the Springdale School District celebrated their graduation, they were in for a surprise. The ceremony celebrated the current graduates as well as four outstanding veterans who would have graduated in 1956 if they had not chosen to serve in the military. Alongside the graduating seniors, veterans Carl Stults, Bobby Burke, Charles Leroy Moon, and Bob Self—known as the “super seniors”—were given honorary diplomas.
None of these four young men graduated from Springdale High School, even though they were seniors in 1956. Carl Self disclosed, “I took a GED test when I joined the Air Force, but Springdale didn’t recognize the GED at the time.” Eventually, I received a diploma from Little Rock Central. It wasn’t until they all met for lunch one day that the school district discovered their diplomas were gone.
The news that these “super seniors” will be attending the graduation ceremony came as a pleasant surprise to the Class of 2022. It not only honored their achievement but also taught them a valuable lesson in honor and sacrifice. At the ceremony, Springdale Superintendent Jared Cleveland read heartfelt letters from Governor Asa Hutchinson and U.S. Representative Steve Womack expressing gratitude to the warriors for their bravery and selflessness.
According to Womack, they served during and after the Korean War. At the time, they didn’t think about themselves or ask, “What about me?” They answered the call of duty. Isn’t that what America is all about? The educators briefly emphasized each veteran’s exceptional achievements since joining the Air Force in 1956.
After 66 years, these four exceptional men finally earned their long-awaited diplomas from their alma mater. It was fair compensation for everything they had done. As they say, “Once a Bulldog, Always a Bulldog.”
Bob Self, Carl Stults, Bobby Burke, and Charles Leroy Moon, congratulations on your honorary diplomas! Their dedication to our country is very remarkable. Because of brave individuals like them, we are privileged to live in the amazing country that we do today. By sharing this story and honoring these men for their exceptional accomplishments and selflessness, let’s show our appreciation.
