June 28, 2011 - Graduation Surprise – UTI-Glendale Heights Grad Receives Diploma from Sibling in Armed Forces
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Courtney Serrano, a Corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps, surprised her brother, Dereck at his UTI-Glendale Heights graduation |
One graduate from the UTI-Glendale Heights campus received more than his diploma from the Automotive Technology program when a surprise guest showed up to greet him.
During the June 17, 2011 graduation, Dereck Mc Munn walked across the front of the auditorium and was shocked to see his sister, Courtney Serrano, ready to hand him his diploma. Courtney is a Corporal serving in the U.S. Marine Corps in North Carolina, and Dereck hadn’t seen his sister since Christmas.
Courtney was inspired to serve in the Marines by the events of September 11th. She enlisted in December of 2007 and had begun boot camp September 23rd of 2008. Dereck attended her graduation from boot camp and she feels it was a lasting impression on him, perhaps watching his sister pursue her dreams was a catalyst for Dereck to pursue his own dreams.
Proud of her brother and his accomplishment, Courtney knew she had to attend his graduation as well. “Since he started attending UTI, I have seen so many positive changes in him,” she said. “He always had an interest in cars, and UTI taught him a lot more than he already knew.”
