"Jarell was and always will be a Wyncoter. He'll always be one of us and only a happy memory away," said Wyncote Acadmey headmaster and principal Kirk Hittinger.
Jarell Seay was unable to attend, but his mother and father, with cap and gown in hand, stood at the podium to accept his diploma.
"Jarell will always be a part of us and all that knew him. No goodbyes, just good memories," Hittinger said.
It was Easter Sunday, Jarell was at his family home on North 55th Street when two men came to the door.
Jarell came outside and had a few words with one of them, while his dad stood nearby.
A short time later, shots were fired and Jarell was killed.
"We're taking it one day at a time," said Jarell's mother Cherlynne Seay. "It's very hard. You miss that 'l love you, Mom' at night and 'thank you for the meals', and all those things he said for us."
"I'm so proud of this moment. My son got his diploma. He earned the credits. He earned them on his own. We knew he was going to get it. I'm just thankful for my son for 18 years," said Joel Seay.
Jarell would have turned 19 on Thursday.
His accused killer, Julian Frisby, is behind bars charged with murder. Police still have not released a motive for the killing, and why such a terrible crime would happen to such a bright spirited young man is baffling to everyone who knew him.
Hittinger says he was honored to present the Seay family with Jarell's diploma.
"Probably one of the hardest things I ever had to do as principal," Hittinger said. "They don't train you to deal with kids having terrible things happen to them. It was tough, very emotional."
"We're going to be continually committed to Wyncote as a part of the family. Whatever they need, we'll be here to help with the wonderful program they have here," Joel said.
