Karnack ISD has presented a high school diploma to 1993 graduate Rhonda Mayfield Rivas, made possible through Texas legislation passed in 2018.
The Karnack ISD Board of Trustees and Superintendent Angela Fitzpatrick presented Rhonda Mayfield Rivas with her high school diploma at a recent regularly held school board meeting on April 11.
“Today, we have the honor, because of laws that have changed on May 3, 2018, to have the privilege to present a high school diploma to Rhona Mayfield Rivas,” said Fitzpatrick when presenting the diploma.
The presentation of the diploma was spurred on by the passing of Senate Bill 463 in 2018 during the Texas 85th Legislative Session. The bill enables students who enrolled before the 2011-12 academic year and did not graduate due to standardized testing requirements implemented to be eligible to receive a high school diploma.
Fitzpatrick, KISD Principal Vickie Jackson and Board of Trustees President Ray Polk invited Rivas to receive her diploma and have her picture taken.
“I knew your mouth was going to drop when you looked up there and saw it,” said Fitzpatrick.
Rivas was invited to the school board meeting where she was surprised with the presentation of her diploma. She said that she graduated from Karnack ISD 31 years ago as part of the class of 1993 and commented on the size of her class throughout her time at the district.
“We started out as the largest class and ended as the smallest class,” said Rivas, garnering laughter from those in attendance.
Fitzpatrick said that the district is also aiming to present additional diplomas to past graduates of KISD following the presentation to Rivas. She thanked Rivas for joining the school board meeting to be recognized and congratulated her on receiving the diploma.
