John F. Kennedy High School graduation honors student who was shot and killed
Jaylen Tolbert was shot and killed in April while trying to protect his friends at a house party
Jaylen Tolbert was shot and killed in April while trying to protect his friends at a house party
Jaylen Tolbert was shot and killed in April while trying to protect his friends at a house party
Sacramento's John F. Kennedy High School celebrated its graduating class of 2022 Wednesday at Sutter Health Park, and amongst the usual pomp and circumstance was a special moment, honoring a classmate who died two months before he was set to graduate.
Jaylen Tolbert was shot and killed in April at a house party in Elk Grove.
His mother, Jeannine Edwards, told KCRA 3 that he was shot while trying to protect his friends from intruders. He died in his friend's arms.
The 18-year-old was remembered at his class' graduation ceremony, an idea put together by his friends.
"The students reached out to me right away and said, 'Mr. Brown, we have to do something,'" Principal Reginald Brown said. "More than anything else, I really wanted the mom to have [this come] full circle."
Thanks to graduates Mekhi Gray, Anthony Hammonds and Taylor Davis, Jaylen's mother was honored in front of thousands Wednesday.
"I'm doing it for him," Gray said.
Edwards was led onto the stage in front of the crowd, got a $500 surprise check from the Donovan Russell Foundation Inc. and received her late son's diploma.
"I talked to him this morning and I said, 'You're going to walk that stage, baby!'" Edwards said. "I believe he's with me giving me strength. I feel good today and I'm going to celebrate him."
Edwards said her son dreamed of starting a T-shirt business. She hopes to start and create that business in his honor.