'I'm an official graduate y'all!': Shake It Up star Zendaya receives high school diploma... and pal Taylor Swift 'cries tears of pride'

By Helen Zhao for MailOnline

Published: 13:23 EST, 12 June 2015 | Updated: 14:30 EST, 12 June 2015

She may have had starring roles on the Disney Channel, but all along Zendaya Coleman was doing homework just like every other teen.

The 18-year-old actress graduated from Oak Park High School, which is located just outside of Los Angeles, on Thursday evening and was seen participating in the ceremony.

The K.C. Undercover star received her diploma alongside Olympic gymnastics champion Gabby Douglas, with actor Bob Newhart as their commencement speaker. 

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Congratulations! Zendaya has just graduated from Oak Park High School, participating in the ceremony on Thursday evening

The event was a nice change from the scandal she was caught in earlier this year when Giuliana Rancic said on E!'s Fashion Police that her Academy Awards ceremony hairstyle made her look like she smelled of weed. The actress has since accepted Rancic's apology.

Zendaya was congratulated by the likes of her gal pal, Taylor Swift, whom Instagrammed an image of Zendaya standing in gold robes next to her peers. 

The 25-year-old singer captioned it: 'Cut Throat graduates, I cry endless tears of pride.'

Zendaya played the role of knife-wielding Cut Throat in Taylor's star-studded Bad Blood music video.

Zendaya celebrated the milestone via Instagram, sharing an uplifting message to her fans. 

Busy bee: The 18-year-old actress was enrolled in Oak Park Independent School, allowing her to complete her studies on her own schedule, while working in the entertainment industry

Proud friend: Taylor Swift Instagrammed an image of her gal pal Zendaya standing in gold robes next to her peers, writing, 'Cut Throat graduates, I cry endless tears of pride'

'Shout out, not just to all the 2015 grads but to the soon to be!' the Shake It Up star wrote. 'Please remember knowledge is one of the most powerful gifts we have the privilege of receiving...don't take that for granted.

'To every soon to be grad, know that you CAN do it! (if I can get through it then anyone can)

'It's a long road, so many things will pose as obstacles in your way and at times the end seems further and further away, but please remember the importance of that beautiful mind you have and all the limitless powers you hold. All my love #sorryforgettingdeep'

The Dancing With The Stars vet explained to ABC News why she is letting it be known that she has graduated.  

'It's really important for young people to see other young people striving to get their education,' she said. 

'Both my parents are educators, so hopefully I inspire some kids out there my own age to go out there and keep doing it.'

Zendaya was enrolled in Oak Park Independent School, allowing her to complete her studies on her own schedule, while working in the entertainment industry.

While she was not familiar with her graduating class, it seems they were excited to have a star in their midst. 

Back to work! Olympic gymnastics champion Gabby Douglas was part of Zendaya's graduating class, Instagramming a selfie at the airport right after the ceremony 

Zendaya tweeted on Thursday: 'So I'm doing my graduation rehearsal and I don't know anyone but they cheered when my name was called, thanks guys, ya'll the real MVP's'

@blakeschaffnerr tweeted: '@Zendaya thanks for finally bringing some excitement in oak park Sincerely –everyone.' 

Gabby, 19, was also enrolled in independent study, doing homework while training in gymnastics. 

She is known as the first African-American to win the individual all-around event, having done so at the 2012 summer Olympics, when she and the U.S. team also took home the team gold medal.

Gabby wrote alongside an Instagram selfie: 'not gonna lie. it was tough to balance school and gym.. but i did it! 

'kno when u set ur mind to achieve something u can do it. anddddd yeas i'm at the airport gotta get right back to the grind love u guys' 

Zendaya says she used knowledge to counter Giuliana Rancic

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