When Hackensack High School’s seniors file onto the risers Friday afternoon for graduation practice, there’s one student for whom it won’t be a rehearsal.

Hipolito Garcia will get his actual diploma, in front of his friends and family, because the 18-year-old is leaving on Monday for Marine Corps boot camp -- one day before his classmates graduate.

Garcia told administrators last month that he wasn’t going to be able to attend the graduation ceremony.

“He’s doing something great so I thought we should do something great for him,” said Patricia Lozano, an assistant principal at Hackensack High School.

Garcia transferred to Hackensack last school year after coming to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic. “He’s made such an impact in a small amount of time,” Lozano said.

Garcia, who lives with his grandparents, didn’t speak much English when he arrived and also works on top of going to school.

“Despite all of his obstacles, he has maintained a nearly straight A average and is one of our top students,” said Principal James Montesano.

Garcia has a 3.85 GPA, he’s in the computer-assisted drawing club, he was chosen to attend a leadership conference sponsored by the state’s Elks Clubs and he volunteered to participate in a drunk driving presentation for seniors at the school -- and those are just some of his accomplishments.

“He is a wonderful student and an even better young man,” Montesano said. “He is a very conscious and considerate young man who has left quite an impression on the Comet Family. It is our way of saying thank you.”

Allison Pries may be reached at apries@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter@AllisonPries. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips.