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CNN Live At Daybreak

Student Paralyzed in Car Accident Walks Across Stage

Aired June 20, 2002 - 06:36   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: This next story starts tragically, but it does have a happy ending. Paralyzed in a car accident nearly three years ago, Masha Malikina had worked hard so she could surprise her Burkmar High School classmates at graduation last month. She wanted to walk across the stage to accept her diploma, but the principal said, no. He was afraid Masha would fall down.

That's when a local radio station stepped in and arranged for Masha to have her very own graduation ceremony, and last night here in Atlanta, about 3,500 people showed up to see the walk of a lifetime.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MASHA MALIKINA, GRADUATE: This means more to me than anything in the world, and I just want to say that as far as goals go, never set them too low. Always set them high, believe what you stand for, and stand for what you believe. And never let anybody tell you that you can't do something, because it's all up to you. If you want to do something, you can do anything in the world, absolutely.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: A standing ovation from family, friends and other well-wishers, Masha Malikina finally got what she wanted. As you can see, one small step at a time, she did walk across that stage to get her diploma.

Masha's graduation was sponsored by the morning show at Atlanta radio station Q100. And joining us on the phone right now is Q100 DJ Bert Weiss. What a night.

BERT WEISS, Q100 RADIO STATION: Yes, it really was, Carol. It was a magical night.

COSTELLO: Tell me what the mood was like. And who were these 3,500 people that showed up to see Masha graduate?

WEISS: Well, like you said before, I mean, some were friends and family, but most were Q100 and virtual listeners that were just really touched by Masha's story. You know, I think the fact that she never got to walk across the stage and achieve her goal really kind of touched a lot of nerves with a lot of people. And that was basically the reason why people came out, and the mood of the night right from the start was positive. And people I think were genuinely overwhelmed with emotion when she got up and walked across the stage.

COSTELLO: Yes, I image there must have been a lot of tears in the audience.

WEISS: Yes. I was trying to do the guy thing, you know, and keep it all in, but as soon as she stood up, I started losing it.

COSTELLO: Tell us more about why the principal wouldn't let her walk across the stage at her high school.

WEISS: You know, there are three different reasons why I hear he didn't. One was a -- there was a liability issue, but she had a notarized letter saying that she would take all responsibility, so I'm not sure about that one. The other one was that it was going to take up too much time. And the third one is just that he thought that she would fall down in front of the whole student body and humiliate herself, and he didn't want that to happen to her.

COSTELLO: Was any action taken against the principal?

WEISS: No. In fact, the superintendent and the school board had supported him in his decision, which I can't really figure out, but...

COSTELLO: Oh. So for Masha, what did she tell you after the ceremony? What did this mean to her?

WEISS: I think to be able to express the message that sometimes no just isn't a legitimate answer. And that you can really do anything if your cause is just and you put your mind to it. That anything is possible, and I think that was really her bottom line.

COSTELLO: Oh, it gives me chills. What are her plans for the future?

WEISS: She is going to go to college. And I think she has got a real career in advocacy, if you ask me, but you know, college is right around the corner for her. She can do anything. You better watch out, because it could be your job.

COSTELLO: You've got that right. Thank you so much for joining us this morning and that was a wonderful thing you guys did.

WEISS: Thanks, Carol -- you take care.

COSTELLO: You too -- bye-bye.

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