With the COVID-19 pandemic seeking wreckage on our lives, our families, and our everyday norms, the Corona Virus is now out for our Graduation. At the current moment, Dr. DuBray, our current superintendent, along with other administrators, seem to be leaning towards an “easy way out” in which our graduation would take place like a drive-thru in each respected schools parking lot. Hundreds and hundreds of students worked day in and day out to achieve their desired grade for 12 years - 12 years. While the circumstances and tides may be against a traditional and on date graduation, it does not mean we deserve anything less than excellence and the proper recognition. 

Our current plan is to merely push the traditional graduation date back. Back to July or August, or if needs be, in December when students are home from College. We as students deserve that recognition, that moment, the experience, and that hard earned diploma. This is a monumental event in our lives, and we deserve to spend it with our loved ones, our families, and our friends who have watched us grow into these amazing adults. 

The drive-in graduation will not work for the Fort Zumwalt School District for a plethora of reasons. Students are limited to how many people they can strap into their car, meaning many loved family members will be forced to miss the graduation. Depending on the parking lot size, even more families and staff will be cut and excluded. The memories created will be tainted and be a constant reminder of this unfortunate and unforeseen event. 

While many of us students understand the current circumstances and predicaments, that does not mean we deserve anything less. The dedication, determination, and commitment should be honored, preserved, and respected by our families, our teachers, our friends, and fully supported by our building principals and superintendent. Class of 2020 has already had enough events taken away from them - A Traditional Graduation will not be one of them.