(AP) — Sixty-years after Dean Percival’s high school classmates graduated, he now his diploma, too.

Percival was presented his diploma from Axtell High School in Kansas during a ceremony Friday in southeast Missouri, where he now lives.

Axtell principal Bob Bartkoski made the 600-mile trip to give Percival, of Cape Girardeau, the diploma. He told about 50 friends and relatives it is based on Percival’s life experiences and accomplishments.

Percival dropped out of school in the 10th grade to help support his family, which included five siblings.

Percival’s career was mostly with sign companies in several places, including Cape Girardeau.

Now 78, he wore a paper mortar and tassel as he received the framed diploma.