Ridgell M. McKinney is ready to cross the stage and get his high school diploma, 74 years after his classmates made the same walk.
McKinney, 94, would have graduated in 1934 had he been willing to rat out a friend. Chalk it up to honor and a case of wrongly accused popped knuckles.
As it is, the active nonagenarian and local historian was to be the first in line when diplomas from the new McKinney Boyd High School were awarded Friday night.
McKinney is a descendant of Collin McKinney, for whom both the town and Collin County, the wealthiest in Texas, are named. His great-great grandfather also helped pen the Texas Declaration of Independence that cast off Mexican rule in 1836.
So folks in this fast-growing suburb north of Dallas are making a fuss about McKinney's commencement.
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