Family
members of 17-year-old Yeatise Gaines of Kalamazoo, Michigan say that her dying
wish was to graduate high school. Unfortunately, the ambitious teen’s body
began to succumb to her lengthy battle with cancer and it became evident that
she wasn’t going to survive to see the June 4 commencement ceremony.
In an
effort to assist the high school senior in achieving her life goal, more than
20 family members and Kalamazoo Central High School teachers and administrators
gathered by Yeatise’s bedside on May 14 for an early ceremony. During the
special commencement, Principal Valerie Boggan presented the teen with a
cap, gown and a certificate of completion. Yeatise’s sister, Ava
Gaines, told reported that she has been battling against a form of cancer that
attacked her muscles and bones since she was just two years old.
“It was
really hard for her throughout her entire life,”
Despite
her unfortunate health condition, her sister says that Yeatise remained
positive, cheerful and focused on her studies.
“She was
so strong. She was unbelievably strong. All of the life experiences she was put
through, she always had a smile on her face through it. She was able to make a
joke. She was a great person.”
Sadly,
Yeatise passed away the day following her special ceremony.
“I think
Tise cried down inside,” said the teen’s grandmother, Linda Mann. “She knew
what was going on because she told me, ‘Granny, don’t cry and be strong.’”
While she
will be sorely missed by family members and loved ones, they say they’re happy
that her final moments were happy ones.
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