The celebration started at the beginning of the entrance to South Shore Cultural Center, bass booming from the parking lot and already audible for people driving on South Shore Drive. The music was only broken up by the announcement of names and the loud cheers that followed them as people donned in shiny black robes walked across a stage.

While most graduations take place in arenas in May, the ringing applause heard throughout the center on Thursday marked the end of the high school educational journeys for over 50 students, many of whom have been involved with gun violence and used school to change their life direction.

Using a staggered entry approach to ensure safety for students who may have conflicts with other groups, graduates were driven into the parking lot and cheered on by th

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