One senior at Hampton High School crossed the stage during Friday’s graduation ceremony to find more than her diploma waiting for her.
When Mackenzie Henegar stepped onto the stage and her name was announced, from the other side of the stage her older brother, Josh Henegar, walked out to greet her. Josh is an Airman First Class in the United States Air Force. He is currently stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, and originally he was not going to be able to attend his sister’s graduation because of his military duties.
Josh had a leave scheduled for a few days after his sister’s graduation and planned to visit his family then.
Dr. Amy Banner, a teacher at Hampton High, said a few days before Friday’s graduation Josh called her and said he had worked out the details to be able to attend the ceremony and he wanted to surprise his sister.
Josh’s plane arrived at Tri-Cities Regional Airport just two hours before graduation was scheduled to start. He arrived at the ceremony as school staff were working to get the seniors prepared to march in procession into the gym, Banner said.
School officials kept Josh hidden backstage until the time came for him to surprise his sister.
When Mackenzie saw her brother she rushed to him and the two embraced. After the hug, Josh posed with his sister while Mackenzie accepted her diploma.
“She’s very close to her brother and she’s very proud of him and his service,” Banner said of Mackenzie.