WWII Veteran, 95, Gets Needham High School Diploma Decades Later

Needham MA

10 November, 2021

2:55 PM

Description

NEEDHAM, MA — A member of Needham High School's class of 1944 has finally received his diploma, decades after he left high school months shy of graduation to join the Marines, WCVB reported. Veteran Louis Picariello, 95, enlisted upon turning 18 in March 1944. He served in the Pacific during World War II, and when he returned he went to work rather than finishing his high school career, the news station said. On Wednesday, he was presented with his diploma during a ceremony with schools Superintendent Daniel Gutekanst and high school Principal Aaron Sicotte. "I can't believe this," Picariello said to WCVB after the ceremony. "Everybody went out of their way and I appreciate it." Watch Picariello's ceremony here. Wednesday's ceremony wasn't the first time Picariello has been in the news: In 2017, WFSB Channel 3 featured his annual trek to Quassy Amusement Park in Middletown, Connecticut.