
NEWPORT, Vt. (WCAX) – A dad that made a big promise to his son four years ago is finally able to say, he stuck to his word.
Adam Moulton was just 17 years old when he dropped out of North Country Union High School.
His dad owned a dairy farm – and had suffered a traumatic head injury – so Moulton left school to help his dad and his brother run the farm.
He dropped out in 1997, and now, walked the graduation stage, earning his high school diploma with his son.
“My son was having a hard time in school. I decided that, if he graduate I would continue to go back to school,” Moulton said.
Moulton’s son Jonathan started school in 2020, right at the beginning of the pandemic, and when sophomore year rolled around, he had a difficult time keeping up with the work.
But dad wouldn’t let him quit, and Jonathan says, walking with his dad on stage was the biggest motivation keeping him going.
“I am so happy. I really didn’t think it was gonna happen. I mean I cheered him on the whole time. I was hoping he’d push through, stick with it. He most definitely did. It’s awesome to be here today. Be graduating with my dad. We got to walk together, that was awesome, “ Jonathan Moulton said.
Moulton got his diploma through Northeast Kingdom Learning Services High School Completion Program.
This allows students to get a diploma through a state high school while learning at their own pace.
And Moulton’s teacher, Trish Musgrove, says this opportunity doesn’t come by for everyone.
“I think for Adam it was more personal. It is just a really cool program to see students love to learn again. Because it is targeted around their interest and their goals. It makes sense to them,” Musgrove said.
And Moulton says, he wouldn’t have had it any other way.
“No matter what happens, or adversities happen. If you really put your mind to it you can accomplish anything,” Moulton said.