It’s that time of year where seniors can begin a new chapter in their lives out of high school.

But some students at Ridgewood High School almost didn't take part in the graduation ceremony because they couldn’t afford the attire, so a local group stepped up so the students could walk with their class.

It may not have been a reality for Jonah Matos. Walking with his classmates on graduation day wasn’t in the cards. He, along with 32 other students, couldn’t afford the $90 fee for graduation along with their cap and gown.

It’s a luxury to Matos, who hasn’t lived on easy street, being in and out of foster homes since he was five.

“Through all the hard times I didn’t really have parents to push me or anything, so I just kept my eyes on the prize, I guess, and knew that I had to get good grades and everything,” said Matos.

Saying Matos has perseverance is putting it lightly.

“I have a 3.5 GPA, played baseball at Ridgewood for two years and at Hudson for two years, varsity captain for two years," he said.

When he turned 16 it wasn’t just a coming of age; he gained a family. His baseball coach asked to adopt him.

“I didn’t even think I was going to get adopted at all," he said. "I just thought I was going to age out of the system at 18 and just be on my own."

Students like Matos have stories that touch people like Jackie Moon, the founder of Pasco Connections, which is a networking group of professionals who help the community.

“It was really important to us so that the kids could graduate with their class,” said Moon. “It’s nice all the achievements they work hard to that they’re able to walk with their class and feel important that they accomplishment something.”

The group donated $9,000 to Ridgewood High School, which includes help with graduation, prom dresses, and SAT prep books.

For students like Matos, it meant he could celebrate his bright future the way he always wanted to.

“Being with my friends, graduating, nothing means more to me,” said Matos.

Matos has been offered a full scholarship and plans to go to Pasco-Hernando State College and play baseball.

The group also has a chapter in Hernando County, called Hernando Connections, and they say they will be opening Tarpon Connections in July.