More than a hundred graduates gathered on Thursday in Pinellas County to celebrate one shared achievement — a high school diploma. For one graduate, walking across a stage in a cap and gown has been a lifelong dream. At just 14 years old, Eddie Horne was sent to Florida's notorious reform school, the Dozier School for Boys, from 1964 to 1965. Horne said he and his brothers endured abuse and neglect. "It was horrible," Horne recalled. "I don't know how many licks I got. I didn't count, but it was horrifying. They'd just come down like they were swinging a baseball bat on you." Horne later returned to public school but dropped out in the 10th grade to support his family, according to a statement from Pinellas County Schools. At 75 years old, he was able to earn his diploma through Florida's victim compensation program. The bill was passed in 2024, providing $20 million to victims of physical, mental and sexual abuse at the state-run Dozier School and Okeechobee School. "Now I got it, now I'm happy," Horne said after receiving his diploma. "I feel like I can do anything I want to do now." MORE: https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/community/florida-dozier-school-victim-graduates-st-petersburg/67-571df613-ab08-4845-a83f-03842082a353