Pedro Fiallo, 76, received an honorary diploma on June 7th from Barbara Goleman Senior High School and Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
Alberto M. Carvalho, superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, and Perla Tabares Hantman, chair of the school board, presented Fiallo with the diploma.
“It was a surprise,” Fiallo said afterward. “I had no idea. I was so honored to receive this honorary diploma. It was very nice.”
Fiallo’s wife Zenaida Fiallo witnessed his walk across the stage.
Daylin Garcia, founder and president of the Giving Gators charitable organization, said the school called to ask if she knew anyone who deserved an honorary diploma.
“Pedro Fiallo came to mind,” Garcia said. “It brings me such joy because Pedro is not only a great friend, but an amazing person.”
Fiallo was 18 years old when he fled Cuba, five months before he could receive his high school diploma.
After arriving in the United States, he served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army.
Upon returning home, Fiallo worked in finance.
A member of American Legion Post 144, he volunteers with the U.S. Coast Guard and the Town of Miami Lakes Veterans Committee and weekly food distribution with the Elderly Affairs Committee.
The Town of Miami Lakes named him Volunteer of the Year in 2018. Fiallo also helps organize the annual Miami Lakes Veterans Day Parade and was its grand marshal in 2019.
Shown in the photo above are Carvalho, Tabares Hantman, Fiallo and Barbara Goleman Senior High School Principal Dr. Manuel Sanchez III.
--Megan Jacobo
Photo courtesy of Miami-Dade County Public Schools.