Every year, Ames High School requires all graduating seniors to purchase brand new Jostens products. As stated in an email, the $60 fee pays for the graduation cap, gown, and a few other small items. Not only does this unrealistic purchase requirement disproportionally affect low-income families, but it also contributes to the overproduction of wasteful materials in the environment. 

Students should not be expected to spend this amount of money simply to graduate from high school. Plus, the expectation of having a grad party or saving for living outside of the house should be enough burden on the students' money. 

Not only is it a financial burden, it dramatically affects the environment. Most students have gowns available to them from older siblings who have already graduated. This senseless overproduction of caps and gowns contributes to landfill waste and waste of materials. By one estimate, more than 100 million polyester gowns have been added to the waste stream in the last 30 years.

Please help us fight this disgusting problem that unfairly affects high school students and our world.

-Ayah, Cassidy, and Arianna