GREENSBORO, N.C. — Students from Southeast High School moved their tassels from right to left this weekend.
For graduate Kseniia Botezat, her parents are halfway across the world in her home country Ukraine.
In March of 2022, about a month after Russia invaded Ukraine, Botezat was sent to live with her aunt in Greensboro to keep her safe.
She hoped she would be back in six months, but unfortunately, that did not happen.
While in America, she has finished her high school career at Southeast Guilford High School. She was even elected homecoming queen in Fall of 2023.
"I really adapted here very well, and I've got a lot of new friends," Botezat shared.
Her brother Oleksander came to support her at the graduation. He told WFMY News 2 this was his first time seeing his sister since she left their home country.
"I just don't want to be separated from her anymore. We have been separated long enough already," he said.
A moment of joy for the brother and sister, but they said its hard to celebrate with all the turmoil back home.
"I'm more worried about family left behind. You are never safe in the country where the war is going on, so that is hard for me," her brother shared.
Over the summer, Botezat plans to fly home to spend time with her family. But, she will be back in the Fall to start her freshman year at UNC-Greensboro to study nursing.
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