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Anyone and everyone can succeed.



A graduate — only in NY

Schools have changed. In my day it was shoulder bags. Today, it’s shoulder holsters.

I went to high school so long ago — the Dutch hadn’t even haggled for our 15-mile island yet.

I raced through Andrew Jackson High School in Jamaica, Queens.

A four-year course — I did it in three years. My IQ in the high 90s.

But there was Home Ec. Home Economics — you had to sew. I can’t sew. Because I couldn’t make my own graduation dress the principal denied my graduation, my going to college and my diploma.

I’m in the NY Post since 1981. I’m living proof that nothing will ever happen to a person in life if they don’t go to Harvard, Yale, Columbia — where the main subject is learning to hate your fellow human beings.

I thank our gorgeous Gov. Kathy Hochul, handsome Mayor Eric Adams, Schools Chancellor David Banks, the omnipotent Randi Weingarten with p.r. exec Robert Zimmerman for organizing this.

Adams was denied her diploma by her high school principal because she couldn’t complete her graduation dress in Home Economics class. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
Adams receiving the diploma from First Deputy Chancellor Daniel Weisberg. Stephen Yang for the New York Post
Mayor Eric Adams and Gov. Kathy Hochul attended the graduation. Stephen Yang for the New York Post

Plus, my 30-year friend Judge Judy, TV’s highest-paid star, who still owes me $7 for losing in gin.

No, no & no!

The principal — and who knows where his remains now remain — said to me: “You cannot graduate. You can’t go to college. And I will see to it that you cannot get your diploma.”

I remain living proof that I could not go on to higher education.

This aged story came about accidentally at dinner with union chief of education Randi Weingarten, and our mutual friend p.r. man Robert Zimmerman.

Randi couldn’t believe it. She said, “That’s what happened in those days before unions. When principals could make their own rules.”

So yesterday she organized for this still-active school (the original principal’s bones are now elsewhere) to hand me my diploma. It’s in my maiden name — Cynthia Heller.

Fotogs came, reporters came, friends came, the governor and the mayor came, Randi and the education chancellor came, as did microphones, press and cameras and flowers.

Bail on Yale

A lifetime’s passed. I’ve written a column four days a week in the New York Post since 1981. I’ve written books (none of which were in the school’s library). I have had a TV documentary.

Adams close friend “Judge Judy” Sheindlin and AFT president Randi Weingarten at the ceremony. Stephen Yang for the New York Post
Mayor Adams delivering remarks at the graduation. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

I have lived with kings, queens and shahs, and am now living proof that life doesn’t end if you don’t go to a fancy schmancy Ivy League school.

I’m also on WABC radio every Sunday 2 p.m., and I thank the station’s co-owner Margo Catsimatidis for Arnold the driver, WABC president Chad Lopez and for her car schlepping me to Jamaica.

So the message is: Everyone — anyone — can make it. It’s a question of working — and working — and trying. And not being scared.

Adams thanked Weingarten and p.r. exec Robert Zimmerman for organizing the event. Stephen Yang for the New York Post
Adams meeting current students at Jackson High School. Stephen Yang for the New York Post

And, because I am a widow and an orphan . . . just asking Keith Poole, editor of the NY Post, to give me a raise.

And remember the immortal words of Irving Meyer Cicero, who at election time said: “Listen, education is wonderful. It helps you worry about things all over the world.”

For me, only in New York, kids, only in New York.



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