Graduation is for the living and keeping the memory of those who have passed alive. The Denison High School class of 2021 has been told they can not honor their late classmate at graduation. This petition is to show support for all late students that deserve the recognition and for all the present classmates to have a final moment to celebrate their memory and life before separating for college. 

Zach Alvarez went to Denison his entire life. Eighth grade year, Zach was diagnosed with Leukemia and passed away November 5th, 2017, his freshman year of high school. Although Zach was not here in person, Zach was present at every football, basketball, and soccer game. Zach was there for every award ceremony and school dance. Zach's presence is felt by his classmates daily. Zach has gone through high school with each of us, and all we have asked is for his name to be called to walk across the stage and for a chair to be placed with his name on it. 

Zach was never one to think about himself, but constantly of others. With that in mind, we are not doing this just for Zach, but for every future late student that passes through Denison ISD. Every student deserves recognition on graduation night, and the present students deserve to be allowed to honor their classmates. It is wrong, unethical, and disrespectful to tell a student they cannot honor their fallen classmate, and to tell them that "Graduation is for the living". Students have tried to reason with the school and have been turned away. We need support, not outrage. Please help us peacefully reach our goal.

Sign in support of our cause. On behalf of the 2021 graduating class we thank you!