One of the special moments that Newberry High School Senior Kim Riley has been waiting for came Thursday afternoon. 

Kim's best friend and classmate, Alyssa Johnson says that the rest of their classmates can learn a thing or two from Kim Riley.

"To never give up.

There's a saying we have on our football team; to never give up, never back down, never lose faith... I believed in it, but since I met her, it's been really strong," commented Johnson.

Spinal Bifida is a developmental congenital disorder affecting the spine.

It's also the reason why Kim Riley has been confined to her wheelchair for most of her life.

The last time she walked was 8 years ago.

Last year she started going to physical therapy with what others might think is a simple goal.

"My goal was to walk at graduation,  and I had such a strong mindset, that I just kept that goal," stated Riley.

Kim had this to say after watching the support she got on stage, "It made me want to cry that all my classmates were happy that I was walking.

To have the support support from my classmates was amazing. It's not something that 4 years ago I thought would happen." 

After lots of practice and therapy Kim says that she's been able to walk as far as 300 feet. Chris Gilmore TV20.