It took 90 years, but Margaret Geiser Smith is now a high school graduate.

The 107-year-old was presented her diploma at a special ceremony Friday at Bishop McCort Catholic High School in Pennsylvania that involved all the pomp and circumstance for the newest grad of the Class of 1926.

“This feels wonderful and is such an honor,” Smith said after receiving her diploma.

“The whole thing is overwhelming and I never thought they would honor me like this. I don’t know what else to say. I’m at a loss for words.”

Tom Fleming, the school’s principal and chief administrative officer, said the ceremony was a few years in the making, but very special.

“Whenever I came to McCort, Tom Smith told me about his grandmother and how remarkable she is and that she never graduated from McCort,” he said.

“He said it would nice if at some point we could recognize her.”

Fleming said this is something that is long overdue and the school is happy to recognize Smith.

“During her lifetime, she has personified the pride, loyalty and tradition that Bishop McCort represents,” he said.

“Without question, Margaret Smith is deserving of a high school diploma and she is an inspiration to her family and her friends – and today she is an inspiration to us the members of the Bishop McCort family.”

Smith was born in Conemaugh Borough, Pennsylvania in 1909, and grew up with eight brothers and sisters.

She was a member of the first class of students at Johnstown Catholic High School in Pennsylvania, but when her mother broke her ankle, she stayed home to help out around the house and was never able to finish high school.

Instead, Smith went to work at an overalls factory.

As an adult, she used the skills to sew, knit, crochet and quilt for her two sons, eight grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

And, up until the age of 104, Smith lived alone before moving to the Country Manor in Jerome, Pennsylvania.

Smith’s grandson, Tom Smith, said he was thrilled to see the recognition come to fruition.

“All of her life she told me that she had regretted not having her high school diploma,” he said.

“Different from today, where kids drop out left and right, she had to. She had no option because she had to go support her family.”

He said his grandmother always stressed the importance of staying in school, getting an education and doing the best that you can with it.

“This means so much to our family, and at 107, to see this happen is fantastic,” Tom Smith said.

Smith said she didn’t feel worthy of all of the attention – but had waited long enough for diploma.

“It’s a proud day for me,” she said.

Urban writes for the Johnstown, Pennsylvania Tribune-Democrat.