DISCLAIMER: this is in NO WAY undermining the accomplishments of 2021 graduates. Nor is this is any way spreading any hate upon them. We all feel so proud and happy for them to have received what they have worked so hard for and deserved! Congrats!

This petition is to get the community’s support in helping the Class of 2020 get the graduation and/ or the celebration we didn’t get which was also promised to us. It has made many of us beyond sad to see all the celebrations and events that were held for the Class of 2021. Sitting on the sidelines wishing we knew the feeling but trying to put our feelings aside so we could celebrate class of 2021. We can put it aside but it doesn’t make us feel any better. I personally feel like graduation was stolen from my class. Graduation was just a reach away for us. On May 13th Dr. Romero sent out a press release stating that Deming Public Schools was fully committed to giving the Class of 2020 an in person graduation when they were able to do so. This includes Deming Cesar Chavez Charter High School as it is a Deming public school. It is sad that the Class of 2020 was not mentioned or included during the planning of the 2021 graduation. Many schools throughout New Mexico have given some sort of opportunity to let 2020 graduate and given that honor, whether it be their own graduation or be included with 2021 graduates. Several have tried to contact the school board but have had little to no response from them. It’s unfair of DPS to plan so many events for class of 2021 and not to mention ONE word about class of 2020. Again, this is no way undermining the accomplishments of class of 2021. Class of 2020 is hurt and upset! We are beyond hurt. I DO understand that when we graduated it was harder to celebrate because of the pandemic . But I do NOT understand now that we can they didn’t mention one word for class of 2020. Why should we go out of our way emailing and begging to get something that was promised to us. That is not right in any aspect. Any past graduates were able to check out of school. They had a last day of senior year. They were able to have a senior prank. They got to say goodbye to their school and fellow students. Biggest of all they got a graduation. They got the feeling of happiness when receiving their diploma well their loved ones watching them. They got to have the small party’s to celebrate. They got the family pictures at their graduation. Class of 2020 did not receive ANYTHING close to this. Graduating is hard enough to accomplish for most students. Class of 2020 did it in the beginning of a pandemic along with the absolute worst part of it. We pushed harder than any other class in horrible time .This pandemic has been so tragic on everyone’s lives. All we are asking for is something, ANYTHING similar to a graduation celebration for class of 2020. We all feel a hole of emptiness especially after seeing this years graduation celebration. It hurts a lot we feel ignored and neglected. We have a missing piece in us. If anyone deserves it’s us! Please think of your graduation, think of the memories, the joy, the pure happiness and excitement you and your loved ones received. Then remember that class of 2020 got NOTHING compared to that. No matter if you are a 2020 graduate, parent, family member, coworker, or just feel we deserve a graduation.We are not asking for money, we are asking for the community to help us get something we deserve. For most, graduation is about the celebration of this milestone and getting to celebrate with your loved ones. We all have our gowns and diplomas, but we don’t have the happy pictures of memories of one our biggest accomplishments we will ever have. We are asking for everyone who feels we deserve a graduation to sign so we can show them that our community does care for 2020 graduates and feels we deserve what we should have received in the first place. Graduation . PLEASE share and get the word out so this class can celebrate as they deserve.