I am Torriya Washington, a Class of 2020 graduate from Lamar High School in Houston, Texas. I believe I speak for the entirety of the Class of 2020, when I say the COVID-19 pandemic has stripped many high school seniors of the most valuable moments for their teen years. Although there are greater issues such as the unjust deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police brutality, we cannot help but remember how everything we worked hard for and waited for was stolen from us. Senior prom, senior pranks, senior skip day, our last days with our classmates, and most importantly, the chance to cross the stage. 

In recent days, the diagnosis and death rate of COVID-19 has decreased enough for precautions, restrictions, and Stay Home orders to be lifted. With that being said several Houston-area school districts such as Aldine ISD, Conroe ISD, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, Fortbend ISD, and Pasadena ISD have all had traditional ceremonies, where graduates were spaced 6 feet apart, face coverings were to be worn by graduates, staff, and guests, and graduates were limited to 2 guests per person. Thus far, there have been no reported spikes in COVID-19 cases, no complaints on the policies and procedures that were put in place, and the graduates as well as their families were still able to cherish this once in a lifetime moment.

But for Houston ISD seniors, this was not the case. We were limited to a "Citywide Senior Celebration", haphazardly orchestrated by Mayor Sylvester Turner, HISD Superintendent Dr. Grenita Lathan, and the principals of each individual high school campus.  At my campus, Lamar HS, the June 5th Senior Citywide Celebration was all but safe. There was no temperature and symptom screening, no hand washing or sanitizing policies, and most importantly, no social distancing protocols were enforced in any way. We were told to stand on spaces marked on the lawn by white spray paint, but the spaces were no more than 2 feet apart. Students and staff hugged and touched, and hardly anyone, if anyone at all, properly wore their face coverings. All in all, the event was a breeding ground for disease transfer.

With that being said, there is a way for HISD seniors to walk the stage. If we could have an event where no safety precautions were taken in an attempt to suffice for the graduation we have earned and deserved, we could host a traditional graduation. For a long time, the voices of HISD students and parents have always gone unheard. Whether it regarded student safety, test scores, or budgeting, the people's voices and opinions have hardly ever mattered. That is why the HISD Class of 2020 is taking a stand, to end Dr. Lathan's cycle of communal negligence, as well as give us HISD Seniors the right of passage to adulthood.

Here are a few ideas for protocols to enforce for a safe and memorable traditional graduation ceremony:

- A limit to 2 guests per graduate, including children and babies

- All graduates, staff, and guests must stay 6 feet away from each other, with the exception of people within the same household

-All graduates, staff, and guests must wear a face covering for the duration of the event

-All guests and graduates should arrive no earlier than needed to be screened and allowed entry to avoid crowds

- Sanitizer stations per every 6-12 feet of space

-Disinfection of the event space between every ceremony

These are just a few ideas that could protect the health and safety of the community, while properly celebrating the Class of 2020. As a class born into a terrorist attack and an economic depression, who is now graduating into a global pandemic and yet another economic depression, we have always been strong, resilient, and courageous in everything we do. As we continue to journey along the trail of success and a better world, please give us the chance to celebrate all we have done thus far.

From every HISD student in the Class of 2020, we thank you for your time, sympathy, and support.