Austin Tran, our valedictorian from the class of 2025 at Bishop Carroll Catholic High School in Wichita, KS, stood up at graduation and delivered a speech that truly mattered to his classmates. He spoke directly to us, for us, and on behalf of his friends and family—he spoke from the heart, which is something our school truly needs. Austin's speech was not merely a formality; it touched people's hearts and made them tear up because of its authenticity and sincerity.

Despite this, the school staff is attempting to revoke his rightful title and deny him the honor of receiving his valedictorian medal just because he deviated from the pre-submitted speech. This punishment seems unjust, especially when his words resonated so powerfully with so many people present.

The class of 2025 stands by Austin Tran. We believe that Austin embodies the values of honesty, truth, and courage at Bishop Carroll—a place where we need more voices like his to speak on what truly matters to students. Taking away his title undermines not only his achievements but also the spirit of genuine expression that should be encouraged in our educational community.

We are calling on the staff of Bishop Carroll Catholic High School to reconsider their decision and honor Austin Tran with his valedictorian medal. Recognizing Austin’s contribution and respecting the uniqueness of his voice is essential to promoting an environment where students feel safe to express their truths and pursue what matters most to them.

Please join us in this cause to acknowledge a student who dared to be genuine and considers what is best for his peers. By signing this petition, you support not just Austin, but every student who seeks to inspire change and share their true selves in the face of adversity. Let's make sure Austin gets the recognition he deserves.

His speech is linked below!⬇️ https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1sxdaGNd62VfuyHLh73RpgXt5J92aTYLU/mobilebasic