Her wish has come true.

Escorted by classmates, Leticia Grandos walks in, smiling brightly, to the notes of “Pomp and Circumstance.” Her family snaps pictures and wipes away tears, just like any other proud family.

But this isn’t like any other graduation. Leticia is dying and likely won’t make it to her own graduation ceremony. Her leukemia is terminal, and she doesn’t have much longer to live.

Leticia is a junior this year, getting mostly A’s and taking AVID classes at Federal Way High School. Leticia has always wanted to graduate high school, so her school gave her that wish.

Her family is here to witness this event. They are here not only for her graduation, but also to spend one last Christmas with her. Flying in from California, Mexico and El Salvador are aunts, cousins, uncles and grandparents. Leticia’s mother, brother, father and godmother are all here, celebrating her graduation and life.

The gym is a sea of pink. Her classmates, teachers and Federal Way family are supporting her in the best ways they know how. Under banners of “We love you Leticia” they stand, in pink shirts, scarves, hats and sweats — a visible sign of their love.

The school always hosts a holiday assembly. About a month ago, the graduation for Leticia was added to the program, and anticipation among the students has been building ever since.

Leticia walks in to cheers and a standing ovation.

“Success is measured by the impact we make,” school board president Tony Moore said. “Your life is a great success, as measured by all your classmates. It is with great joy that I accept you as a graduate of our district.”

In just a few minutes, her diploma is accepted and her tassel is turned to the other side. The gym erupts in applause, and the students and staff give her a standing ovation. The students begin chanting in sections, “We…Love…You…Leticia.”

Then, accepting flowers from dozens, she walks out of the gym for a graduation party with her family.

“It’s amazing,” Leticia said. “It’s so surprising. I had no idea at all.”

Support from her Federal Way family

The students have rallied around Leticia.

They have made cards, ornaments and cookies, and also wrapped presents for Leticia and her family. Two students made a donation cup out of a venti Starbucks cup and construction paper, then raised more than $200 in two days.

The school’s Sparrow Club has adopted her. On Wednesday, more than 60 students spent over an hour wrapping presents for the family and making more cards. A large group of students went to Leticia’s house, and the jazz choir sang to her as the line of students went out the door.

“I am very thankful to all the people,” said her mother, Carmen Grandos, through a translator. “God bless everyone.”

The Sparrow Club and IGNITE program have also put together a $1,000 annual scholarship in Leticia’s name.

Saying goodbye

Leticia was first diagnosed with cancer four years ago. They tried finding a bone marrow donor, said her godmother, Leticia Riojas.

Riojas was there when she was born, and yes, Leticia is named for her godmother. Although a bone marrow match was eventually found, Leticia wasn’t healthy enough for the transplant.

Leticia has fought the cancer since, but now that fight is just about over. She is no longer taking any medication other than morphine for the pain.

For most of the week, she was so sick the family wasn’t sure she would be able to come to her graduation on Friday.

To say it’s an emotional time for her family is an understatement.

“It feels good to know my daughter is happy,” Carmen said. “But I am saddened because I know her time is getting close. But I am seeing it in a new light. My daughter is an example to all other youth to fight to get a good education.”

“I think she is at peace with herself,” Riojas said. “She’s a happy person.”

Leticia has told her teachers she’s not worried. She told them to stop crying and to smile. She knows her Federal Way family will watch out for her brother David.

For Leticia, on her last Christmas, what she is looking forward to most of all is “being surrounded by family.”

How to help

If you would like to help the Grandos family or donate toward the scholarship, contact Melissa Gollegly at (253) 945-5449 or Federal Way High School at (253) 945-3200.

“I am Lety” by Leticia Grandos

I wonder about my high school graduation

I hear doctors talking about me, pump alarms going off, and my own thoughts

I see mid-November doing Mother Nature’s course outside my window

I want to be told when I can go home

I am a positive and successful young lady

I pretend I’m a mermaid roaming through the ocean

I feel like I am a rare flower in a garden filled with stunning flowers

I touch the bricks of my grandparents’ house in Mexico

I worry about my younger brother in his “teenage phase,” if I’m going to receive a passing grade for all my classes

I cry often when I think about if I don’t get cured, I picture the suffering my mother and family would feel

I am a positive and successful young lady

I understand the risks that I’m taking (research study chemotherapy)

I say “I’m fine, thank you” as an answer to every question

I dream of being free of needles, blood transfusions and bone marrow testing

I try to be the best daughter I can be, give the best of me

I hope to inspire others in any way I can

I am a positive and successful young lady