ARIZONA NEWS

California teen has graduation ceremony in Arizona hospital

May 23, 2022, 4:25 AM

PHOENIX — A California high school student hospitalized in Phoenix with paralyzing injuries received his diploma on Saturday.

Faculty, friends and family traveled to Barrow Neurological Institute located at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital for Dylen Damico-Rager’s, 18, cap and gown graduation ceremony, Dignity Health said in a press release.

“It’s not that way I planned my graduation but I’m so grateful for their support and the opportunity to wear my cap and gown and receive my diploma,” Damico-Rager said of the faculty and his friends in the release.

The Cypress High School senior was scheduled to graduate on May 25 but suffered a severe spinal cord injury on March 25 after making a shallow dive into a river near Yuma while on vacation, the release said.

Damico-Rager’s mother, Sarah Samayoa, said in the release he lost movement in his arms and legs after the impact of the dive, was carried in the current and almost drowned.

“Thankfully, his friends were able to find him and start CPR. Paramedics on scene resuscitated him,” Samayoa said.

He underwent a cervical spinal fusion surgery to have his spine fused, and weeks later, is undergoing intensive, physical, occupational and speech therapy, the release said.

His high school guidance counselor worked with hospital staff to plan the ceremony at the hospital, which featured an official diploma presentation, turning of the tassel and speakers, including Damico-Rager, the high school principal and his medical team.

“Dylen is the epitome of a Cypress High School Centurion … We know that he has a strong resilience to him and look forward to his recovery,” Kevin Hodgson, principal of the school, said in the release.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Eyes on Education presented by:

Maricopa Community Colleges

Arizona News

(AZ Barrels Bottles & Brews)...

David Veenstra

AZ Barrels, Bottles and Brews festival returns to Scottsdale this weekend

The AZ Barrels, Bottles and Brews festival is making its annual return to Scottsdale's Salt River Fields on Saturday.

2 hours ago

The snake was found after the driver commuted from Mesa to Scottsdale. (Scottsdale Police Departmen...

Danny Shapiro

Man finds boa constrictor under truck after commute from Mesa to Scottsdale

A pickup truck driver made an un-boa-lievable discovery on a commute from Mesa to Scottsdale on Wednesday.

4 hours ago

A U.S. Court of Appeals panel ruled in favor of Grand Canyon University in its battle for nonprofit...

Kevin Stone

GCU gets favorable court ruling in long battle with DOE over nonprofit status

Grand Canyon University's yearslong battle over its nonprofit status could be nearing an end after a panel of appeals court judges issued a favorable ruling last week.

8 hours ago

The five Maricopa County Board of Supervisors seats were up for grabs during the 2024 election....

KTAR.com

1 Maricopa County supervisor race could be headed to a recount

The contest to fill Republican Bill Gates’ seat on the powerful Maricopa County Board of Supervisors could be heading to a recount.

11 hours ago

Republican Rep. Juan Ciscomani, left, is competing with Democratic challenger Kirsten Engel for Ari...

KTAR.com

Republican Juan Ciscomani declares victory, Kirsten Engel concedes in Arizona CD6 race

Republican U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani declared victory Wednesday in Arizona's 6th Congressional District race after Democratic challenger Kirsten Engel conceded.

12 hours ago

Arizona congressional races...

KTAR.com

Here’s who won Arizona’s 9 congressional seats in 2024 election

All nine of the Arizona congressional races in the 2024 general election were finally settled on Wednesday.

12 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

...

DISC Desert Institute for Spine Care

The best methods to make your back pain disappear for good

Are you struggling with back pain that will not go away?

...

Midwestern University

Midwestern University Clinics – Providing Comprehensive, Thorough and Unrushed Healthcare to the Valley Community

With so many options for healthcare in the Valley, why should you choose a clinic that has graduate medical students integrated into the patient experience?

California teen has graduation ceremony in Arizona hospital