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Quite a contrast between the valedictorian and salutatorian.

Back in April 2021, then-17-year-old Weronika Jachimowicz got a lot of attention for subverting people's expectations of who excels in high school—and that's exactly what she wanted. Jachimowicz was named New York's Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District's 2021 salutatorian. Her yearbook photo next to valedictorian Luke Altman is going viral because of her dramatic Goth makeup and attire.

It all started when assistant professor and writer Dr. Jules Lipoff's tweet of the photo of the valedictorian and salutatorian he saw in a newspaper went viral. How many salutatorians have you seen wearing pentagram hoop earrings, a choker, and black devil horns? The juxtaposition of her next to the bowtie-wearing Altman makes the photo even more amusing.

Jachimowicz wanted the world to know that just because a high school kid looks like an outsider, it doesn't mean they aren't interested in academics or sports.

In fact, it's completely normal for kids who are interested in the Goth subculture, as well as any other clique or community, to be good students.

"The scene has quiet middle-class values—education, highbrow culture, theatre, museums, romantic literature, poetry, philosophy, Gothic architecture," Dr. Dunja Bril, who studies Goth culture in England, told The Independent in 2006.

goth, gothic, middle class, education, intelligence Goth vibe.Canva Photos

"Many Goths like classical music. It's a status symbol to have a good collection of classical pieces—mostly requiems and darker pieces," she added.

"Going to do a university degree is encouraged," Bril continued. "It doesn't encourage people to drop out of school. Whereas in the Punk scene you turn down the normal educational values, in Goth you gain status if you're perceived as being educated. You get people who are in it for the shock value, but they are usually the ones who grow out of it."

Since her photo went viral, Jachimowicz has received countless messages of thanks from young people who say she's inspired them to express themselves.

"In all honesty, that's all I wanted. I wanted to help anyone I could who is struggling with expressing themselves because I've been in the exact same position," Jachimowicz told Yahoo! Life. "When people message me telling me how I have given them the confidence to be who they truly are, I almost cry from happiness."

Jachimowicz says that she was able to be herself because she was encouraged by others, so this is her chance to pay it forward.

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"I was always trying to please others and be like what everyone else wanted me to be, or at least try to fit into what was 'normal.' However, I did slowly start to realize that it's OK to be different," she said. "I've met people in my life who gave me the confidence to fully be myself," she added.

In addition to having an unweighted GPA of 97.27%, Jachimowicz was on the fencing, ping pong, and winter track teams. She was also a member of the National Honor Society, Students Against Drunk Driving, and the Unity Club.

Jachimowicz's accomplishments are another reason to never judge someone for how they look or their interests. Just because someone is wearing satanic earrings doesn't mean they aren't highly intelligent or athletic.

She believes the most important thing is to be yourself, regardless of what anyone else thinks. "Even if others don't really like my style, it's what makes me happy and I've worked hard to finally come to that conclusion," she said.

This article originally appeared four years ago.

Simple Thought Productions/salad_and_crouton/Instagram

Cecilia Hernandez and her service dog Canela during commencement ceremony at Rollins College.

One of the most gratifying parts of graduating college is getting to walk across the stage during the commencement ceremony to collect that hard-earned degree. And for Rollins College student Cecilia Hernandez (@salad_and_crouton), who studied chemistry, her walk across the stage was side-by-side with her beloved service dog, Canela, who helped her accomplish her studies in the chemistry lab.

During the ceremony, Hernandez wasn't the only one recognized for her hard work—service animal Canela was also presented with a special patch in recognition of her outstanding support. The sweet moment was captured on video, which included a heartfelt speech from the school's dean.

"My service dog received a special patch for her vest in recognition of her hard work at graduation," she captioned the video.

As Cecilia's name is called to accept her diploma (she graduated Cum Laude), the dean gives a heartwarming speech to also honor Canela. "In addition to presenting Cecilia with her diploma, we also wish to recognize the service companion who who has accompanied her throughout her Rollins career, Canela," he says. "Cecilia majored in Chemistry, which required Canela to undergo special training to prepare her to join Cecilia in the laboratory. I am very pleased to present this service badge to Canela, in recognition of her contributions to Cecilia's success at Rollins."

In the post, Cecilia shared more details about how special Canela's role was to her. "Having a service dog in chemistry is nearly unheard of. It required many, many training sessions just to get her used to wearing PPE," she wrote. "As I did research for an undergraduate thesis, this required even longer days in the lab. I am beyond grateful @rollinscollege provided such a wonderful campus and community, allowing me to thrive with my service dog by my side."

In another video shared by Hernandez, she gave a behind-the-scenes look at graduation day for the duo. Together, they wore matching grad caps, and Canela also received an award from Rollins' Chemistry Department for her work.

Hernandez previously opened up to her followers on social media about how she was initially paired with Canela. "In 2021, I had a rough start to college. I had undergone emergency surgery and struggled with my health," she shared in the video's caption. "To help, I got Canela to help navigate my disability."

The video pans to Canela as just a puppy. She continues, "We began training. She took to it very quickly. Eventually, she became a full time service dog. However, having a service dog in chemistry can be difficult."

In the commen section, Hernandez explained just what Canela's training to be in the chemistry lab entailed. "She needed to be trained to wear her PPE at all times in the lab. Most dogs struggle with wearing garments. Also she needed to have a very solid 'stay' as she needs to lay on a mat in the lab. (The mat just protects her from any potential contaminants on the floor)," she shared. "Additionally, just in general, she had to learn how to do medical alerts while wearing said gear. So how to get my attention without causing a distraction."

After overcoming difficulties, Hernandez never gave up on her dreams of pursuing a career in chemistry. And her hope is to advocate for more representation and accessibility in STEM.

And viewers of her graduation video with Canela cannot get enough. "Canela is looking around 'what? Like it's hard?' a la Elle Woods💕," one commented. Another added, "Stacked with cords and everything!! Get it girl!! Congrats and good luck with all your endeavors!! (Please give Canela extra pets for me!)." And another touched viewer wrote, "🙌🙌 yay congratulations to you and your pup you two are gonna go places and achieve so much."

KTIV News 4/YouTube

107-year-old WWII veteran Orville Von Ehwegen receives honorary high school diploma.

Orville Von Ehwegen is proving that it's never too late to give up on your dreams. At 107 years old, he finally received his honorary high school diploma from East Sac County High School in Lake View, Iowa. He was honored during the high school's graduation ceremony on Sunday, May 18.

Von Ehwegen, a veteran of World War II, received his diploma 93 years after he was forced to drop out of school in 8th grade to help his dad on their family farm during the Great Depression.

He never got the chance to attend high school. "“It was gone. That part of my life, it was out,” Von Ehwegen told KTIV News 4.

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Years later, he served in the United States Army during World War II from 1942-1945. Following his military duty, he owned a successful appliance store with his wife.

But earning his high school diploma was something he always missed, something his friends and family knew. Recently, they rallied around him and reached out to East Sac County High School.

"I didn’t hardly think that it would ever, ever, ever happen. Never happen to me anyway. And it was just wonderful the way it turned out," Von Ehwegen told KTIV News 4. "That’s quite an honor. I’ve never been honored like that before."

During the ceremony, Von Ehwegen was presented with his honorary diploma, and received a standing ovation. He also posed with his fellow Class of 2025 graduates.

"I was always kind, worked hard, and just enjoyed the life that I could. And it worked out just beautiful. Probably wasn’t as nice as going to high school and getting a diploma. But look what I got here," he told the news outlet.

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In another interview with SiouxCity Journal, he shared that the news he would be graduating came as a total surprise. And when he found out he would be recognized, he said, "Oh my God!" before agreeing to be honored.

Von Ehwegen's friend Steve Irwin helped lead the charge to get him the honorary diploma. "One thing led to another, and the school agreed to do an honorary diploma. So, I called back and and asked him if he thought that would be a good idea. And he kind of hemmed and hawed for about a half a second and said, sure, that sounds like a really good idea,” Irwin told FOX 17.

graduation, graduate, high school, high school graduation, diplomaJennifer Love Hewitt Graduation GIFGiphy

Von Ehwegen has had an incredible life. He told The Messenger that he was born on Aug. 21, 1917. He recalled life growing up as "hard work" and "long hours," noting that he rode a pony eight miles to attend a Lutheran school. But when things got more difficult for his family during the Great Depression, his dad approached him about dropping out of school.

"He says, ‘Bud, I can’t send you to high school this year because I can’t afford a hired man.’ That was in ’33," Ehwegen told the publication. "‘And you have to stay home and help me with the farm.'"

Through it all, he persevered. Congrats, Mr. Von Ehwegen!

dailymailcute/YouTube

Young girl invites her favorite bus driver to attend her kindergarten graduation.

Kindergarten graduation is a big deal for students and parents alike. For six-year-old Mallie Courtney, there was one special person she wanted to invite to her graduation party: her beloved bus driver Don Allen.

Courtney, from Bradford, Tennessee, made hearts melt in a sweet video shared by her aunt Holly Bratcher (@hollypaigebrachter) on social media that showed her spending time with Allen on her big day. In the video, the two are seated next to each other, playing games and eating snacks while celebrating her big accomplishment.

"Ok so this was the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. 😭😭😭 they acted like best friends! 🩷'," she captioned the video.

@hollypaigebratcher

Ok so this was the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. 😭😭😭 they acted like best friends! 🩷 #niece #auntie #kindergarten #sosweet #thecutest

The two were glued side by side the entire party. "Y'all my niece's bus driver came to her party and she sat with him the THE WHOLE TIME," she added. "They played games and talked the whole time. This is the cutest thing ever."

In an interview with PEOPLE, Courtney's aunt Holly shared her surprise when she arrived at the party and didn't recognize Allen. "I asked her mom, 'Who is that man?'" she told the publication. "And she told me it was her bus driver, and how much Mallie adores him. When she told me that Mallie had invited him to her party, I thought it was the sweetest thing!"

It was clear the two had a special bond. Bratcher also added that during the school year, they hugged each other every morning and every afternoon.

School bus, bus driver, kindergarten, school bus driver, busSchool Bus Love GIF by MochimochilandGiphy

It meant the world to Courtney that he showed up. "I was so excited that Mr. Don actually came!" she told PEOPLE. "I ran and gave him a hug and we ate together and played games and I gave him my cupcake because I didn't want it."

She went on to call him her "best friend." "He said he was proud of me and that he will see me Monday morning. I liked hanging out with him the most, we are best friends," she added.

With nearly six million views on TikTok, the video resonated with many people who also shared about their close relationships with bus drivers in the comments. "I invited my janitor from high school to my graduation party. And he was so exited to come he brought his wife. It’s been 10 years and he still mentions it," one wrote. Another shared, "My 10th grade geography teacher (a 75 year old man) took a personal day to come to my mom’s funeral. I will never forget him."

The heartwarming video also made an impact on Bratcher, who shared it hoping to inspire others. "My hope from this video is that in the broken world we live in, there are still good people," Bratcher shared with PEOPLE. "Genuine people still are here and want to help impact children’s lives and even older people’s lives. We live in a time of many sad things happening in the world, and seeing things like this gives comfort that with all the bad in the world, there is still good."