Santa Teresa High School's senior class have been looking forward to their graduation. The previous senior class, class of 2024, had their graduation held at San Jose State University. This year, it is being held at the school's football field due to the venue costs that the school claims to not be able to afford. Before COVID-19, STHS has held every graduation ceremony at SJSU. Class of 2023 was the first after 2020 seniors had a drive-by graduation. It is completely unfair to these seniors to have just their graduation at a different venue.

The school's principal sent out an email claiming that last year, SJSU said the venue costs are around 50K and that they cannot afford it. Students have said that the Santa Teresa ASB teacher has purchased new TVs, a fridge, and over 20 outdoor tables colored blue and orange, and a new projector for the classroom, costing up to 40K, with the school's money. ASB officers and class officers also claim that the school does indeed have enough to cover the SJSU venue. The principal stated that 50K is too much to spend on the senior class, and they can be spending it on other student activities. Every student activity at Santa Teresa holds their own fundraisers- sports, clubs, each grade, etc.

Many seniors have strong opinions on the ceremony being held at the football field. Many are angry, many are upset, and many feel that it is incredibly unfair. Every class before class of 2025 has been prioritized in every event. Graduation is the most important event for the seniors and to have the traditional venue be changed is completely unfair. 

As a student starting this petition, I will be the voice to ask these questions on behalf of my senior class. If they found out how much it would cost for class of 2025 at last year's graduation, why not change class of 2024's venue to make it fair? Why does the school have enough money to buy unnecessary items for one classroom but not our graduation? 

High school graduation is such an important event for every senior. Many look forward to it. If the school has a traditional graduation venue, it is expected that the school upholds that and prioritizes it. It is understood that many schools hold graduation ceremonies at the football field, and while that may be true, our school does not. We seniors feel that our class is being treated unfairly and ask that there is something done about this issue.