Allen Navarro, a 17-year-old high school senior, gets dressed up to receive his high school diploma early. Nararro has terminal cancer and the staff at his school, Cobalt Institute of Math and Science, awarded him an honorary diploma. Photo courtesy of Victor Valley Union High School District
VICTORVILLE — A local high school senior facing terminal cancer was given a special ceremony last week to award him an honorary diploma.
Allen Navarro, a 17-year-old student at Cobalt Institute of Math and Science, has been battling cancer since 10th grade. It has since spread throughout his entire body.
Employees of the Victor Valley Union High School District have started a collection for Navarro’s family, and presented him with his diploma this week.
“I was able to do a family visit this morning to Loma Linda Pediatric ICU to visit with Allen Navarro and his mother,” VVUHSD Health Technician Tanya Martin wrote in an email on Tuesday evening. “Allen continues to be on a breathing machine fighting for his life ... They are only providing palliative care and comfort measures.”
Martin said Navarro’s mother was “very grateful” to CIMS Principal Dr. Melda Gaskins, who visited the family on Monday for the diploma presentation.
“She was in tears and expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the care and compassion that their family has received from the VVUHSD staff and students during this difficult time,” Martin said.
Martin said Navarro’s father has been off work for two weeks, but had to return in order to pay the family’s mortgage.
“In the meantime, Mrs. Navarro is left alone at the hospital to care for Allen alone daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.,” Martin said. “They have no family here other than their immediate family ... She is afraid that she may be alone at the hospital when he passes away.”
CIMS Librarian Luana Weaver said Navarro has attended CIMS since seventh grade, and she described him as a “good kid” who is quiet but has a sense of humor.
Martin added that CIMS plans to save a seat for Allen at its graduation ceremony next spring and that his senior pictures were taken over the summer.
Anyone who would like to donate to the Navarro family can contact Luana Weaver at 760-955-2530, ext. 45113 or 45125, or at Lweaver@vvuhsd.org.