Cleveland kidnapping victims realize dream to graduate high school

CLEVELAND -- Cleveland kidnapping victims Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus were teenagers when they were kidnapped by Ariel Castro in 2003 and 2004. This week, the pair got to realize one of the life achievements they were robbed of during their decade in captivity -- walking across the stage in caps and gowns at their high school graduation.

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"Neither one of these young ladies were allowed the opportunity to complete their high school journey," John Marshall principal Tiffany Jones said as she introduced the women. "Although their journey may have been interrupted, it's never too late to finish the race."

Berry was a student at John Marshall High School in Cleveland when she was kidnapped the day before her 17th birthday. DeJesus was still in middle school when she was taken at the age of 14, but would have attended John Marshall as well. On Wednesday, they joined the John Marshall Class of 2015 for its graduation ceremony, where they were each awarded an honorary diploma.

The women received a standing ovation as they received their certificates.

"It was awesome," Berry told The Plain Dealer. "I always wanted to grow up and be somebody and do something with my life, you know? I always planned to graduate, and my mom always wanted that for me, to see me cross the stage. So this means everything to me."

Berry had planned to be the first person in her family to attend college before she was kidnapped. She wrote of her goal in a diary entry included in the memoir she co-authored with DeJesus, and journalists Mary Jordan and Kevin Sullivan. "Hope: A Memoir of Survival in Cleveland" was released last month and is currently on the New York Times best-seller list.

During their captivity, Berry emphasized the importance of education for her daughter Jocelyn, now 10 years old. She created a makeshift classroom and, in 2012, even held a kindergarten graduation ceremony for the little girl.

Berry and DeJesus were held captive for over a decade, along with Michelle Knight and Berry's daughter, fathered by Castro. On May 6, 2013, Berry escaped the home with the help of neighbors and was able to contact police, leading to Castro's arrest and the women's freedom.

Castro pled guilty in July 2013 to 937 charges relating to kidnapping, torturing and imprisoning the three women. He was found dead in his prison cell after committing suicide later that year.