Governor Morehead School for visually impaired celebrates 2018 grads

The innovative flagship school in North Carolina is designed specifically for the special needs of visually impaired students in a unique residential setting.

"I'm so excited that I just want to smile and cry," graduate Haley Valente said.

Schedule: 2018 High school graduations

Valente lost her eyesight when she was eight years old. She said doctors aren't quite sure what happened, but she is now blind.

But nothing has stopped her from achieving her goals.

The high school graduate is heading to the Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts for a 9-month program that will get her ready to go to college.

Graduate Jaylen Brown will attend Shaw University and plans to study psychology.

Ceremonies will mark end of high school for graduating Wake seniors

"There's times that I will have to explain to people yes I am disabled but as far as work ethic, I am not different," he said.

Six of the seven graduates participated in today's graduation ceremony in front of family and friends.

Brown admits he was counting the days until he could finally pick up his diploma.

"You realize this day is here and there's nothing left to do but face it and realize you made it," he said.