Mark Wahlberg Graduates High School: Find Out Where Marky Mark Finally Got His Diploma At Age 42

Mark Wahlberg is officially a high school graduate. The 42-year-old actor, who received his high school diploma in June through an online program, celebrated the milestone at an event for the Taco Bell Foundation for Teens in Irvine, Calif., on Monday where he presented scholarships to Taco Bell employees as part of its pilot program. The actor had announced his achievement earlier in the day in an op-ed on Huffington Post.

"I was fortunate to find out I could attend high school online," Wahlberg, who previously hadn't made it past the ninth grade, wrote. "For almost a year, I've been taking classes and studying any chance I could get-on the set, traveling for work and at home. It has been both humbling and challenging, but I'm happy to report that I am officially a high school graduate."

After making the announcement, Wahlberg told People Magazine that his four children were a big motivation for hitting the books. "I didn't want the kids saying, 'You didn't do it, so why do I need it?' They are all wanting to do things in their future that require an education." He went on to add, "It's also a huge sense of relief. I wondered, 'Why didn't I do it when I was there?' It's so much harder at 41 going back and trying to do all these difficult tasks."

The actor finally made up his mind when told David Letterman in June 2012 that he intended to go back and finish what he started. "They're going to give me whatever credits I already have, which is probably like one or two, but I'm going to make it happen," Wahlberg promised.

"Most high school dropouts don't end up with successful careers in Hollywood. I was lucky," the actor acknowledged in his HuffPost piece. "Compared with high school graduates, dropouts are more likely to be unemployed, in poor health, living in poverty or on public assistance. It shouldn't take luck for people to be able to access the education they need to help overcome life's obstacles," he wrote. "Investment in education is a no-brainer in promoting personal and career growth and supporting our economic recovery."

He finished his op-ed with an uplifting note: "I was able to do it because I knew I wasn't alone, that other teens and adults were going through the same thing I was in balancing work and family in order to better themselves. To those students struggling every day and-most importantly-to those who are looking for a second chance, I have a message for you: never give up. Keep believing in yourselves and don't make small plans."

Congrats Mark Wahlberg!