Tonganoxie holds special graduation ceremony

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TONGANOXIE, Kan. (AP) -- Austin Stone finally got his diploma from Tonganoxie High School.

The high school held a special graduation ceremony Thursday to celebrate Stone's long path to graduation.

Last March, Stone was hospitalized after being blinded, left hard of hearing and with speech problems after complications from medical gas he received while having his wisdom teeth removed. It caused him to miss graduation with his class last May.

When Stone returned home last week from rehabilitation in Lincoln, Neb., the high school decided to make things right.

On Thursday, an assembly was held and Stone, wearing a graduation gown and mortarboard, walked across the stage with his father's help to receive his diploma.

Stone said he has plans to attend South Dakota State University and study wildlife biology.

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Information from: Lawrence Journal-World, http://www.ljworld.com