On March 13, 2020, all schools in the Garden Grove District announced their closure. Along with that we have received the news that the schools will remain closed for the rest of the school year. It has also been announced that the GGUSD district is now considering a virtual graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 rather than rescheduling a ceremony in the future. 

We are writing this petition in hopes that the GGUSD district takes into account the opinions of their students and families who would much rather wait to celebrate this huge accomplishment in the near future rather than have a virtual ceremony. We are not requesting a specific date, as we are aware the situation is unpredictable at the moment. No matter when this event is rescheduled all seniors and family members deserve the chance of celebrating such a huge milestone. 

A great number of seniors, staff, and families have expressed they would much rather have a rescheduled graduation than a virtual one. A great majority of us feel this virtual ceremony would not be able to replicate an actual graduation because it is an irreplaceable personal experience and not all families have internet access. This pandemic has put an abrupt end to the senior’s school year and the accomplishments they could have achieved in the last months of high school. Rather than allowing COVID-19 to take control of our final goodbyes a postponement of graduation would provide a better sense of closure. This would allow all seniors to come together with families, friends, and staff one last time before moving on to life after high school.