A celebration was held in Bridgeport Wednesday for a high school senior who, one year ago, was not expected to live long enough to graduate.

Jaymar Carter, 17, graduated from Harding High School. Family members came with balloons in their hands and his mother fought back tears while reflecting on the past three years and those to come.

Carter was diagnosed with leukemia in 2017. He dropped to half of his usual body weight, and was homeschooled as he fought the illness.

Carter, who plans to study mechanical engineering, says he says he would never have beaten cancer without help from his mother.

Carter also thanked the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which made his dream come true by sending him to an NBA game.

The cancer left him with a vulnerable immune system, which means he now has to be extra careful to protect himself from coronavirus. Due to the pandemic, he will not experience a traditional high school graduation.

Carter's mother says that's why she held the celebration to show a very lucky young man how deeply he's loved.

Carter says he hopes to be successful so he can give back to his family and to his community.