ST. LOUIS — As one of St. Louis' oldest high schools faces closure, it is getting a boost from a famous alumnus — Chuck Berry.
The 83-year-old rock 'n' roll legend sang at Sumner High School's annual alumni event Sunday. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the 700 people in the crowd joined in as Berry sang his hit "Johnny B. Goode."
School district officials nearly closed the 135-year-old school over winter break because of increasing violence, poor attendance, low graduation rate and other problems. The school was granted a stay until the summer, but superintendent Kelvin Adams has set a list of goals that must be met.
After his performance, Berry was presented an honorary diploma — he never graduated.