MONTEREY, La. &045; By all accounts, sisters Britteney and Danielle Kelly were the light of their father Glen’s life.

One can only imagine the joy he would have felt Friday night watching his daughters receive their diplomas at Monterey High School’s graduation.

&uot;It’s a big step in our lives,&uot; Britteney said. &uot;I wish he could have been here.&uot;

&uot;Their father wanted them to do their best, and he worked hard to make sure they graduated,&uot; Monterey teacher Diana Perkins said.

Perkins teaches special education and worked closely with the girls for much of their five years at the school.

Monterey principal Neeva Sibley said she knows what this would have meant to him as well.

&uot;It was his dream,&uot; Sibley said. &uot;These are two very hard working young ladies that have overcome many obstacles to get to this point.&uot;

Glen Kelly died March 24 of a heart attack, leaving behind his daughters. That loss was all the more devastating since Glen had taken care of his girls by himself for most of their lives.

&uot;It’s been tough for them,&uot; Monterey librarian Sandra Tiffee said. &uot;Their dad basically raised them by himself.&uot;

The girls have been living by themselves, with the support of more than a few community members, since their father died.

&uot;We’ve been living by ourselves and trying to get along,&uot; Britteney said.

Britteney, who graduated with honors, plans to enroll at Louisiana Technical College this fall.

&uot;I want to do something in the nursing field eventually,&uot; Britteney said. &uot;It would be something in pediatrics, to work with kids.&uot;

Danielle would like to work in equine management, she said.

&uot;I think she’s going to work for a while and make some money and then figure out exactly what she wants to do,&uot; Perkins said.

On Friday, the future didn’t much matter &045; Britteney and Danielle were too busy enjoying their graduation.

&uot;It’s just a great day,&uot; Danielle said.