His cap and gown were pressed and ready to go. His parents couldn’t be prouder. One way or another, high school senior Noah Currier was going to be at his graduation ceremony on Sunday in Verona, Wisconsin.

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The moment was one they’ve all been waiting for — and fighting for, really — for a long time. They just weren’t sure if the boy would sit with his class or sit somewhere else in the crowd.

About two weeks ago Currier was told he wouldn’t be able to participate in graduation ceremonies. Why? Because as hard as he had worked throughout his high school years, he was half a credit short on a math class — a half credit he’s scheduled to complete in about two weeks.

The senior had missed a lot of school this year — every year since seventh grade, actually. That’s because in seventh grade, he was diagnosed with an immune disorder called hypogammaglobulinemia, a disease that prevents a person’s body from making enough antibodies to offer protection from infection.

“It makes you particularly susceptible to things like pneumonia, sinus infections, meningitis, and some gastrointestinal illnesses, too. If untreated, it’s a life-threatening disease,” said Dr. Daniel Jackson, a pediatric allergist and immunologist at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison, Wisconsin. Jackson has been treating Noah Currier since his diagnosis.

The disease means it takes Currier exponentially longer than most people to recover from illness — common colds for him turn into pneumonia. He’s been in the hospital this spring for viral meningitis and out of school for several weeks with two bouts of the flu. He struggles with an ongoing fungal infection in his lungs.

He also has to go to the doctor every three weeks for what is called an IVIG infusion — a process Jackson confirms takes several hours each time. It’s one more thing that takes the senior away from school, but Noah Currier needs it. IVIG therapy helps him replace the antibodies his body isn’t able to make on its own.

If there is a silver lining to any of this, it’s that Noah Currier knows how many friends and how much support he has.

Through it all, however, Currier has kept a positive attitude, say those around him. And he’s done everything possible to keep up with his homework and finish school on time. His mom, Christina Currier-Sager, said he has been working through a medical 504 individual accommodation plan, which allows him to turn in work late for full credit and not be counted absent from class if he meets certain goals.

He’s just a half credit short of what he needs to graduate at the moment.

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The family only learned this recently, when Currier was removed from the bus the morning of his senior class trip — in front of all his classmates — he said. He was told he couldn’t go on the trip because he was ineligible to graduate.

This past week, during graduation rehearsals, Currier was also asked to leave and given a ride back to school by local police.

“Our involvement was giving a ride to this student and an associate principal from where they were practicing the commencement, back to the high school. It was just a ride. This wasn’t a police matter at all,” said Lt. David Dresser of the Verona, Wisconsin, police department.

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The ordeal has disheartened a young man who just wants to feel as if he’s a real part of something, after being isolated for many years due to his health condition.

“This is a kid who struggles to stay healthy every day, but who gets up and does what he can to lead a normal life. He has fought to keep up with school throughout all of this. I understand it’s tough to make exceptions,” said an emotional Currier-Sager. “But I don’t think anyone really understands how tough it’s been for him.”

Noah Currier told LifeZette the other reason he really hoped to cross the stage this year. It was so his dad could be there. His dad is a member of the Air National Guard, and is scheduled to go on a year-long deployment starting in September.

If there is a silver lining to any of this — it’s that Noah Currier has seen how many friends and how much support he really has. His classmates have rallied around him, starting an online and hard-copy petition to try to change school officials’ minds. Close to 2,000 people signed on.

“Every senior signed the petition. It’s really been amazing,” said Noah Currier’s mom.

“Every senior has signed the petition. It’s really been amazing. Noah’s not a kid who reaches out for support for his disease. He will stand up and speak about his disease to raise awareness because it’s not talked about, but he is overwhelmed and humbled by all the support,” said Currier-Sage.

Verona School District Officials did not return LifeZette’s calls. As of Friday, Currier-Sager said the district hadn’t budged on its decision. But during an emergency school meeting Saturday morning — the school board voted unanimously to let Noah Currier walk with his graduating class.

“I’m super happy for Noah and his class because they really believed in this,” said Currier-Sager. “The right thing was done, common sense was used, and the board plans to review this policy at a future board meeting.”

“I’m really happy. I’m really excited and I can’t wait to be with my classmates,” the graduating senior told LifeZette.

On Sunday, at long last Currier did walk across the stage with all of his peers — and when he did, the crowd of onlookers erupted into cheers.

After he completes that last coursework and receives his diploma this summer, Currier plans to attend Madison College and eventually transfer to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He wants to become a history teacher, said a local TV station.

This article has been updated with the latest information.