Students at the Jesse J. Kaplan Special Education School said their farewells Friday as they celebrated a milestone – their high school graduation.

Chin Irobunda, who has autism, was among 18 students who graduated from the school in West Nyack. It was equally exciting for the 21-year-old's family.

"It's a wonderful day. It's a day Chin has been talking about for the past four years, and it has happened. We're very happy for him," said his mother, Marjorie Irobunda.

The ceremony was originally going to be virtual, but the school pivoted the ceremony as New York reopened.

"This has been an amazing school. We came here as our last hope. Now she's come so far. They've been wonderful," said Martha Anderau, whose daughter also has autism.