Frankfort HS student makes it to graduation

FRANKFORT, Ind. (WISH) - It was a room full of tears, cheers and smiles ear to ear as Frankfort High School student Elizabeth Olivas accepted her diploma and gave her speech as salutatorian.

"It not only shows and proves how strong you are to the world if you don't prove it to the world at least prove it to yourself and to me that's winning,” says Elizabeth Olivas in her speech.

Just days ago Elizabeth was stuck in the middle of an immigration battle.

Federal law says children born in another country must return and get a visa or green card within 180 days of turning 18.

Elizabeth, who was born in Mexico, but left when she was 4 years old, missed the deadline by one day.

She was in Mexico for 7 weeks trying to get her visa.

On Thursday she was granted the visa and flew home just in time for the salutatorian to give her speech.

"It was amazing to see how many people how much more people supported me and just seeing everybody even change their picture to my picture and it was just it made me feel proud and I didn't want to let them down, I wanted to be here," says Olivas.

Elizabeth was one of 170 students that graduated Saturday morning, but her presence was felt throughout the ceremony.

Many students, who spoke, mentioned her fight and what she went through to make it to graduation day.

“Your courage leadership and strength fueled the rest of us,” said class president Moises Garcia. “We love you and welcome back ”.

Elizabeth says she has plans to go to college, but doesn't know where yet, but she does want to stay close to home.

She wants to go into the medical field and become a nurse.