My name is Cammey Holt and I am a Senior here at Florida Gulf Coast University. I am forming this petition as a representative of my senior class to ask that you truly consider giving us all a graduation ceremony that we all deserve. Most of us have spent the last four years of our lives devoting our time, energy, and money to this school. I do believe that this school deserves every ounce of energy that we have because of the excellence in education and dedication to the students who attend it. Florida Gulf Coast University is not for everyone, but for those of us who have stayed and have made it to graduation, we should be recognized. Some of us were just students aiming to soar in 4 years with no other agenda. Some of us were in Fraternities and Sororities aiming to grow the programs for future FGCU students. Some of us devoted four years to athletics and sports clubs to represent our school in more ways than one.  Whether we were losing sleep over a nursing exam, creating plans for the new water school, or tasting wines from all over the world in class, we were present and willing to learn and be good. Regardless, we all worked hard and gave so much time doing each of these things in order to  fulfill our 4 years of college. Our school is still new, we still have a lot to catch up compared to the other Universities that have built up their name and reputations in the eyes of potential students all around the country. This is our time to prove that you go above and beyond for your students and give them the graduation ceremony that is well deserved. I am not someone who thinks that everyone should get an award for participating, but in this instance, I believe that for four years we have given blood, sweat, and tears to this school and for just a few hours we deserve to walk in front of our families, friends, and professors for our final goodbye. This is so important to so many people who have reached goals and have done the impossible. This is also a great way for us to say thank you to our professors for giving us advice on how to become adults and be successful in whatever we do. Seeing us walk would be a prize for them. Our school takes pride on how much the students give to the community and create a change in our world that is needed. We truly are a green family and we have all been more than willing over the past four years to create a clean and safe environment. That is something to be proud of and that should be celebrated. I speak for myself when I say this will be a huge accomplishment because I will be the first person to graduate from college in my family. I have also dedicated my time to the Dancing E’Gals and have supported the men’s and women's basketball games every chance I got. I did all this while making the dean's list many times, working a full time job and a bunch of other things and even when I thought I would fail, I kept going because I had my eye on graduation the whole time. I know my fellow students have their own stories and accomplishments that should not go unnoticed. We understand that the world is a mess right now and we need to do everything in our power to keep us safe, but there are ways to have a ceremony and be safe the whole time. Because I am on the dance team I know that we have basketball games that outsiders can attend. I see it with my own eyes. I fought for the dance team to be able to stand in the bleachers and be noticed and I will fight to walk across a stage, grass, a parking lot, whatever it may be to allow for a graduation. We will wear masks and remain six feet apart. We will get tested if we have to. We just want to graduate. We have been in this pandemic for a year now and it's time to learn how to do things the new way without removing them from our lives. Please take this message into consideration President Martin. I know that you hear it from many different students, but we deserve this and you know we do. We have done what we needed to do to get to this point, now it's the school’s turn to give back to us. 

I am asking for all Seniors or anyone who believes we should have the chance to graduate to sign this petition. I speak for the whole senior class of 2021 at FGCU  when I say we would appreciate every and any signature! Thank You!