Thurman Carthen has worked at Galena High School in Reno, Nevada, for 13 years. As he would go about his daily work duties he would often sing a song or two. He would sometimes even take a break to sing happy birthday to a student or staff member.

He is a passionate and talented singer who sings at his church every Sunday, but he was unaware that the students had been paying attention to his musical abilities. So when they asked him to sing at their graduation ceremony he was shocked.

Carthen says he had never sang in front of a real crowd, but the 65-year-old janitor says it was a great way to end his career. “I mean, I help the kids hang up their banners and stuff,” he said. “But this was really something.”

At the graduation ceremony, Carthen stands up to sing a heartfelt rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner” and he nails every single note. You can hear the kids clapping and cheering as he begins his soul-filled version of the song.

At the end of the performance, the entire stadium gives Carthen a standing ovation, which was a fitting send off for a man that the high school principal describes as being one of the nicest and most sincere person one could ever meet.

You won’t want to miss hearing Carthen sing his farewell at the graduation ceremony in the video below. Be sure to listen to it and share it with your family and friends.