Graduation for many is a new outlook on life, for the senior class of Boys Town, their lives went from troubled to bright.
Mikahla Russel is one of 87 Boys Towns graduates crossing the stage and starting a new chapter in their lives.
"I don't know how to be any more thankful than I am and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to graduate from a home rather than just a high school," said Boys Town graduate Mikahla Russell.
Russell says she came from a toxic environment. Her mom was a drug addict in a home prone to domestic violence. Russell started down the same path until she came to Boys Town in seventh grade.
However, now her future looks bright. She will attend Doane University in the fall. She'll also be on the track and volley ball teams at the University.
"Hopefully I'll come back and help my family teach or even be a teacher or coach something because I love it here so much.
Despite all the celebration, there was one seat not filled on the stage. Larry McBryde died in February.
His brother accepted his diploma on his behalf.
"He was such an amazing guy and so happy and cherry always had a smile on his face-this last year we've all picked each other up linked up and took in that motto, he aint heavy father he's my brother pick each other up and put them on our backs,"
