Graduation is such an important time for everyone. Almost everyone that had a senior graduation will tell you how amazing and exciting this memorable moment is in your life. So many of us use graduation as a marking point in turning from a teenager into an adult. The class of 2020s graduation being degraded down to a pre-recorded livestream is so discouraging and not as memorable as we would like. 

Being high school seniors that have spent 12 years of our lives in school, we would like to be honored in the way every class before has been. Talking with my fellow classmates they all agree which is the reason for this petition. As the news was spread that our graduation wasn’t going to be as we had wanted it, we all took a pause. Many cried, I included, and so many more have given up on high school. So many don’t want this pre-recorded livestream, that they won’t even show up to the half baked ceremony. Many believe it’s not worth it since it’s not truly a graduation. 

The point of graduation is to be celebrated for the accomplishments we have had, from the number one ranked student to the kid that was in one club. Each one of us have accomplished so much and want to be praised for such. Everything that people remember about their senior year was canceled for us.... prom, senior prank, ditch day, grad nite, spring play, senior dec day and all the club/sports final events. We are only asking for this one day to be like we’ve wished and dreamed.

A couple of ideas to replace the pre-recorded livestream include:  having the graduation postponed until Covid-19 restrictions are lessened, or having all the parents/families stay in the car while seniors walk across the stage, on an actual livestream so everyone can physically walk and have it feel like a real graduation. We are open to ideas, just allow the seniors to be a part of the conversation. So please let the class of 2020 enjoy this last day of being teenagers.