After passing two literature classes in summer school, Younn finally put on a cap and gown on Wednesday to fulfill that dream.

NANCEE E. LEWIS / Union-Tribune Rachel Cabuag celebrated after becoming a Morse High graduate Wednesday at the summer commencement ceremony for the San Diego Unified School District at Kearny High School.

“There's a lot of pressure to be the first one to graduate. I was pretty down. I wanted to give up but I'm glad I didn't,” said Younn, one of 180 students to received diplomas during the San Diego Unified School District summer commencement ceremony.

Held at Kearny High School, the event was marked by all the trappings of a traditional graduation celebration: bouquets of balloons, flowers, video-camera-toting parents and loud cheers from the audience.

But emotions ran a little higher – on the stage and in the audience.

“I'm relieved. This has been difficult for everyone,” said a teary Teresa Bender, whose daughter Kristyne graduated after retaking Algebra and English.

The belated graduates missed the June ceremony for a variety of reasons. Some were short credits or had failed core classes. Many did not pass the California High School Exit Exam on time. Others had personal hurdles to overcome.

NANCEE E. LEWIS / Union-Tribune Hendrinka Alonzo, (right) a graduate of Garfield High, marked the day by getting her picture taken with her boyfriend, Carlos Castaneda.

Denese Campbell took a detour from her classes at Mission Bay High School when she became pregnant. After giving birth to a baby boy, she enrolled at Garfield High School.

“I missed a lot,” Campbell, 18, said. “It was hard to get here. It was hard to go to school and find someone to watch the baby at the same time.”

Superintendent Terry Grier praised the students for their accomplishments and their perseverance.

“These young people didn't quit,” Grier said in his keynote address. “I hope this is just the beginning of (their) education.”

San Diego Unified imposes a higher standard for high school graduation that does the state. Students must earn 44 semester credits, a minimum 2.0 grade-point average, complete a senior portfolio and pass the exit exam. State requirements call for about 40 credits.

About 75 students who did not graduate from San Diego Unified high schools this year met the state requirement of 40 credits – passed the exit exam and maintained a 2.0 GPA – but fell short of meeting the district standard by two credits, Grier said.

“What are we going to do about these students?” he said.

School districts in California and nationwide are under pressure to lower their dropout rates.

Grier said he may propose a tiered diploma system that offers degrees that recognize students who meet state standards, those who meet district standards and even those who excel in Advanced Placement courses.

“The real key is to graduate them,” Grier said.

Maureen Magee: (619) 293-1369; maureen.magee@uniontrib.com