YORK — Nate Lambright was determined to walk across the stage and receive his diploma at Grafton High School’s graduation ceremony earlier this month.
Nate has cerebral palsy, which affects mobility in his legs and requires that he use a wheelchair. His goal of walking on crutches has not been an easy achievement, as he encountered many setbacks in the process. Despite hip surgery in 11th grade and even having to miss school to travel to South Carolina for treatment, Nate graduated on June 10 with almost a 4.0 grade point average, received highest honors every year and an advanced diploma.
“It’s just amazing,” said his dad, Cliff Lambright, who became teary eyed and emotional while reflecting on his son’s perseverance.
With the encouragement of his parents and Samantha Marsh, his physical therapist at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, the York County teen spent two months practicing on crutches for an hour every week.
“It took a village,” he said.
Marsh would set up a walkway and even a cheering section, while Nate would put on his cap and gown and practice walking across the stage.
On the big day, at Hampton Coliseum, Nate walked to receive his diploma with Marsh by his side. To his surprise, he received an outpouring of support from his fellow graduates, who gave him a standing ovation.
“I was nervous,” he said. “But when everybody stood up, I just felt pure adrenaline and joy.”
It was a special moment for Nate’s parents, watching from the audience as their son walked across the stage with his fellow classmates cheering him on.
“It was a very emotional thing to see him accomplish what he did,” said his mom, Kim Lambright.
In his free time, Nate enjoys playing video games and watching football. He plans to attend two years of community college and then transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a degree in graphic design to make video games.
When asked about other future plans, Nate said he wants to become more independent and live life to the fullest.
Evelyn Davidson, evelyn.davidson@virginiamedia.com
![If it were not for the efforts of a William & Mary president in the 1960s there would not have been a marine science program to benefit from the school’s recent largest financial gift. Davis Y. Paschall, president 1960-1971, was instrumental in the development of the substantial academic programs of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) at nearby Gloucester Point on the York River, The Virginia Fisheries Laboratory was established in 1940 as the Virginia Fisheries Laboratory as a joint effort between W&M and the Virginia Commission on Fisheries (now the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. It was initially organized […]](https://www.pilotonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/6SCYSOUXX5GSHC7UWSYZ2RSEAU.jpg?w=408 "If it were not for the efforts of a William & Mary president in the 1960s there would not have been a marine science program to benefit from the school’s recent largest financial gift. Davis Y. Paschall, president 1960-1971, was instrumental in the development of the substantial academic programs of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) at nearby Gloucester Point on the York River, The Virginia Fisheries Laboratory was established in 1940 as the Virginia Fisheries Laboratory as a joint effort between W&M and the Virginia Commission on Fisheries (now the Virginia Marine Resources Commission. It was initially organized […]")
