In high school, one student who was one year behind me kept applying for early admission to college and got accepted in my Pre-Med year class. He then started applying early to Med School and again got accepted one year early.
The only diploma he ever got in his life was his M.D. (That one, you actually need.)
This week, my wife was talking to the local public high school about some courses our daughter might take as electives. When they mentioned "graduation requirements", my wife told them that story and what I thought about diplomas and the subject was dropped.
Exactly right. I am not sure where my high school diploma might be, if it even exists anymore. Nor do I recall the last time anyone asked about it. (A Ph.D. tends to overshadow a high school diploma.)