Texas valedictorian delivers speech right after dad’s funeral [Video]

18-year-old Alem Hadzic’s father died just one day before his High School graduation.

CARROLLTON, Texas — When Early College High School valedictorian Alem Hadzic walked on stage to deliver his graduation speech Thursday, almost no one in the audience knew what he was going through.

“I didn’t know if I could give my speech,” he told WFAA Monday.

“I knew I had to, but I didn’t know if I could.”

In January, Alem’s father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. But Alem never shared his dad’s private battle with his classmates. Not until he delivered his valedictorian speech.

“My father died yesterday,” he told the crowd in his speech. Audience members were heard gasping.

“And I attended his funeral today right before graduation.”

Forty-five minutes before graduation, at only 18 years old, Alem buried his dad.

“That’s why my shoes are muddy,” he told his classmates. “That’s why my arms are shaking because I had to carry him into his grave and bury him.”

In his interview with …