Allow Estacada High School Seniors to Decorate their Graduation Caps

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The Issue

For the past several years, seniors at Estacada High School have been able to decorate their graduation caps as a way to express their creativity and individuality. This year, however, the school has decided to end the tradition, leaving many students and parents disappointed. 

Graduation is not just a mere ceremony; it's a celebration of years of hard work, perseverance, and growth. Allowing students to decorate their caps is a small yet meaningful way for them to express their unique identities, honor their achievements, and make their graduation day personal and memorable. 

We understand that graduation is a formal event and that the school wants to maintain appropriate standards. We also understand that there have been concerns in the past about inappropriate cap designs. But this doesn't have to be an all or nothing decision. 

This isn't about allowing students to put anything they want on their caps. It's about finding a reasonable solution that allows them to express themselves while still respecting the formality of the ceremony. We believe there is a better way to preserve this tradition while addressing the school's concerns. 

Our seniors have worked hard to reach this milestone. They only get one high school graduation, and they deserve the opportunity to celebrate it in a way that is personal and meaningful to them. 

Please sign and share this petition to show your support for allowing Estacada High School seniors to decorate their graduation caps. 

Let's give the Class of 2027 the opportunity to continue this tradition and make their graduation day one they will remember. 

Let's go, Rangers! 

The Decision Makers

Ryan Carpenter
Ryan Carpenter
Superintendent, Estacada School District 108
Responded
“To the students, parents, and community members who signed this petition: Thank you for sharing your voice and expressing your views about the graduation commencement ceremony hosted and organized by the Estacada School District. We appreciate the care and pride you have shown for our graduates. Commencement is the most prestigious event of our school year. It honors students who have reached the highest academic benchmark our school system offers: completing the State of Oregon's diploma requirements. Because of the significance of this accomplishment, the Estacada School District is returning to a more uniform and formal ceremony to honor our graduates and their families. For more than 30 years, Estacada High School's graduation was a formal event. Students wore formal attire beneath a uniform graduation gown, and the only regalia worn around the neck were academically earned honors, such as those for Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and National Honor Society. In recent years, practices such as decorated caps, casual attire, and non-academic necklaces became part of the ceremony. While well-intentioned, these changes drew attention away from the formality of this academic milestone. We are aware that many colleges and school districts allow graduates to decorate their caps and express themselves through their attire. The Estacada School District has chosen to bring a more formal approach back to our commencement ceremony, knowing that this decision may run counter to current popular culture. Our primary goal at commencement is to ensure every student and family is honored, without distraction, at the moment that graduate's name is called. We recognize that decorating caps has become something many students look forward to sharing with friends and family. For the formal ceremony, we ask that graduates wear the standard-issue cap unaltered, and that only academically earned medals and cords be worn. Once the ceremony has concluded, students and families are welcome to decorate and celebrate with their caps and gowns however they choose. The Estacada School District will, of course, comply with Oregon House Bill 2052 regarding tribal regalia. Consistent with this law, students may wear Native American items of cultural significance at commencement. Thank you again for your participation in this process. This communication represents the final decision of the Estacada School District. Sincerely, Dr. Ryan Carpenter Superintendent Estacada School District No. 108 [Note: The Change.org Civic Engagement Team reaches out to decision makers to let them know about petitions in their community and to help facilitate engagement with supporters. The above was an email response we received regarding this petition.]”
Leah Riedel
Leah Riedel
Principal, Estacada High School

Supporter Voices

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