In Texas, high school valedictorian Alem Hadzic delivered an emotional graduation speech just hours after burying his father. On May 16, the 18-year-old graduated from Early College High School, beginning his address with “Good Morning America” while visibly shaking, his shoes still muddy from the funeral earlier that day.
Hadzic’s father, Miralem Hadzic, passed away on May 15 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Following his father’s funeral, Alem drove his younger sister to the graduation ceremony, determined to honor his father’s hard work and sacrifices.
Overcoming adversity
“I was just shaking before my speech because I knew what I was going to say. It was a rough, rough day,” Hadzic told ABC7. He revealed his father’s illness and death in his speech, sharing his family’s struggle and his father’s story to inspire his peers.
“I didn’t want to be up there, but I couldn’t throw away what he worked so hard for me to achieve. That’s why I’m going to college, and I’m going to work every single hour of every single day for him,” he said, encouraging others to succeed for their loved ones.
Standing ovation
Hadzic’s heartfelt speech earned a standing ovation from the audience. Speaking off-script from his heart, he highlighted the close relationship he had with his father, who was known for his self-sacrifice.
Graduating with a 4.0 GPA, Hadzic earned both a high school diploma and an associate of science degree. He plans to major in chemical engineering at the University of Texas, Austin.
