After the death of his father the day before, Alem Hadzic stunned his classmates by showing up for his graduation and delivered a tribute they won’t soon forget. NBC News’ Tom Llamas reports.
» Subscribe to NBC News: https://www.youtube.com/user/NBCNews
NBC News Digital is a collection of innovative and powerful news brands that deliver compelling, diverse and engaging news stories. NBC News Digital features NBCNews.com, MSNBC.com, TODAY.com, Nightly News, Meet the Press, Dateline, and the existing apps and digital extensions of these respective properties. We deliver the best in breaking news, live video coverage, original journalism and segments from your favorite NBC News Shows.
Connect with NBC News Online!
Breaking News Alerts: https://link.nbcnews.com/join/5cj/breaking-news-signup?cid=sm_npd_nn_yt_bn-clip_190621
Visit NBCNews.Com: https://www.nbcnews.com/
Find NBC News on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NBCNews
Follow NBC News on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NBCNews
Get more of NBC News delivered to your inbox: nbcnews.com/newsletters
#Valedictorian #Graduation #Tragedy
May life bring all the best to this dude and his family
The epitome of courage! Stand tall, square your shoulders and be proud Alem… you know your dad is!
What a remarkable young man🙏😇
His father dies in 6 hours later he has a funeral, that’s quick turnaround time
Some religions require it
Also, if health is declining, a funeral might not be unexpected. They might have had, sadly, a lot of time to consider the preparations, and they were ready by the time he actually passed. There’s more to consider, of course, but it’s happened before in my family where a death and funeral were 1 or 2 days apart max.
@nelsonmandela3432 Really this kid just lost his Father and graduated the next day and you are somehow bothered by the timeline of his Father’s Funeral ?!
Tough kid. Good luck n make your father proud being a good loving person 💙
He’s already proud before he passed. Your dad was looking down and said I’m proud of you son. He got his 🪽🪽🕊❤💐
Stop your comment is gonna make me cry!😭 ❤💐🕊️🪽🪽
Beautifully said
Wow Kid – YOU INSPIRED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD TODAY ! ! !
You Are Going To Have A GREAT Future!
Inspiring ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤😂😂❤😂❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
You made youre father’s legacy truly be accomplished 😢 sorry for the loss brother
I am sorry for your loss.
This young man hasn’t had time to process his grief yet. He probably spent months watching his fathers health deteriorating and still remained Valedictorian. He has a long road ahead. May he and his family be lifted in love by those around them. Blessings to this exceptional young man.
When parents are parents.
Congratulations, Alem! Good luck with your future endeavors. Your Dad will always be in your heart!
Strong my friend your very 💪🏻❤️✅
Breaks my heart😢
This kid is going places with the wonderful values his dad instilled in him❤
Inspiring, courageous young man. Respect.
My deepest condolences brother
Kudos to this kid! A lot of people in same situation would be be sitting at home with a GoFundMe… jus sayin…
Don’t disparage others just to lift him up please. It’s hard for anyone to lose a parent
What a fine young man. Dad did his job to the fullest.
I’m so sorry for your loss. You are amazing. Strong. And I know will do wonderful things. 🫶💗
I’m so glad you were able to do that – you will always be so happy that you did! I’m sorry you lost your Dad. I’m sure he was there with you though. You’re an outstanding young man!
God bless him❤
Pancreatic cancer is such a nightmare and a beast of a disease. Alem, you’re destined for great things. Keep making your father proud.
His father did his job well, pushed his son to do more and better. RIP
I lost my father to cancer, before I graduated, it’s hard.
How inspiring
Aww this is beautiful ❤
Your dad raised a good son so he will extra special in heaven god bless you and make your dad proud the rest of your life
It was ight
❤🙏❤
I’m crying
❤❤❤
Good job.congrats on graduating. Wish you success
RIP Alem’s father
A stark contrast to the other now well known graduation speech circulating. No doubt his dad was so proud of him. Sad but a beautiful parting gift.
What a remarkable young man. He’s going to go on to do great things. I know is father is looking over him to proud.
Sending love and prayers to this young man.
This kid is going places are assure you. And he’s not going to be building encampments and protesting and yelling “Free Palestine”. we are all proud of you young man and God bless your father.
My grandfather passed away 3 months before my 8th grade promotion and not seeing him at my high school graduation back in ’18 was harder but I wore his old Watchtower tie clip as I walked off that stage so it felt like he was definitely alongside me and I know he’d be immensely proud that I graduated
Amazing job young man!
This kid has unbelievable strength
Your father will be so very proud of you ❤ may he rest in peace and he will be with you in your heart every step of the way from Ireland
🎓
❤️❤️🙏🙏
Congrats 🎉 young man. You made Dad ever so proud..❤
Your father is so proud of you and what you accomplished and here’s to your next chapter go get it kid
Way to trauma dump on ur classmates
A wonderful thing to see.
A wonderful young man paying tribute to his father, deservedly so.
What a movie plot. The main character’s dad dies the day before graduation
His dad raised him to be a strong person. It’s sad that the dad couldn’t be here to see his graduation. May he RIP
Congratulations your amazing
Your dad’s love will always be with you. I have no doubt that he is incredibly proud of you! Your speech was a wonderful way to honor him. God bless you in your endeavors of life. ❤️🙏🏻
So sad 😢. Brave young man . I wish him the best in life
I love it, he’sa beautiful young man. This only tell you how God can give you the strength to move forward. Know that you’re not alone and that your father is looking down on you .
e
May Allah Almighty bless your dad. Ameen.
Now we know what kinf of CEO he will. No excuse to not be present at work.
Very brave man
Work hard?
Nah. Not in THIS society, THIS world. Unless you’re a sociopath, don’t bother.
Sorry for your loss but your dad and everybody is proud how strong you are and a great future lies ahead… i myself had to carry my granfather’s casket so i know the feeling…But remember once by your side but always in your heart….!!!!
the ender portal cap tho
Where can we hear his whole speech instead of annoying new reporters talking over it?
OMG 😮
My friend died the day his daughter graduated as valedictorian
I am glad he paid such respect to his father. Fine young man there.
❤❤🙏🏾🕊️
Such a strong kid
Good job, heart wrenching 😢
He is proud of you sweetheart, you are very strong young man Alem…my deepest condolences…!!
God Bless this young man and his Father.
God bless you young man,your dad is a great man,may he Rest In Peace.
Bravo young man! Great things to come.
Okay but why did they have the funeral the next day after he passed when his graduation was the same day? It’s not like this had to be planned out this way…
Kudos to this young man either way 💜🙏🏽🕊️
Alem should know that what he did has not only touched those in attendance at the graduation but everyone who is honored enough to look at this on the news or via a video clip. Alem…I’m sure you feel your dad’s love and pride smiling down on you at this very moment.
Grt speech Alem!
Condolences
I have tears running down my face. I am so sorry for the loss of your father. Congratulations on being valedictorian. Your Dad will always be in your heart and watching over you. He raised a remarkable and courageous son. RIP. Prayers for you and your family!!
Can’t get this incredible young man out of my thoughts!
God Bless you Son!🙏🙏🙏
Congratulations, Alem. I know your broken heart is a very proud heart, too! Your Dad has left a Giant among men. God Bless you in this life as you continue to make your Dad proud of you. ❤
God bless that young man
Only this youngster understands how he feels. Sharing is caring. Everyone is born in this world. Human race is the only race. Born equal, taught is humanitys responsibility! Everything you want is everything we should offer Everyone! 🙏☮️♥️💪
What a strong young man, my father passed away on April 23rd…it’s hard losing a parent so young
WOW 😢remarkable young man! and good luck to your adventure in life
His dad never graduated and yet was able to provide for him and bring him up to be a great human being…well done dad.
What a wonderful strong young man🙏🏻
I saw a short about this yesterday. This is so sad. Especially for people who have lost their love ones. I typically don’t watch the news.😅
KING 👑
WE LOVE YOU
Such a strong young man ;( I’m sure he’ll do great things in the future
Being a valedictorian despite having hard times (taking care of dad at the hospital, going through all mental states and studying so well) is really commendable. Nothing but a good life, man!
Sorry for your father 😢 & you made it, congratulations to your graduation 🎓 then good luck for the future!!!