We, the members of the Zachary Highschool graduating Class of 2026, are raising a concern regarding the lack of recognition for our classmate, Je’Caryous who passed away from kidney cancer in May of last year. Graduation is meant to represent every student who was part of our class and our shared experience. However, Jecaryous’s absence is not only felt emotionally, but is also reflected in the absence of acknowledgment—his name is not included on our senior shirt and there is currently no visible way for our class to honor him during this milestone. At the same time, students are being denied the opportunity to wear orange cords in his memory on the grounds that such cords must be affiliated with an official club or organization. While we understand the importance of maintaining structure and consistency in graduation traditions, this situation highlights a gap in those policies—one where compassion and recognition are being overshadowed by technicalities. This is not simply about wearing a cord. It is about fairness, inclusion, and ensuring that a member of our class is not forgotten during one of the most significant moments of our high school experience. Denying any form of acknowledgment sends the message that there is no place within school traditions to honor students we have lost. We are asking for a reasonable and compassionate exception: permission for seniors to wear orange cords during the ceremony in remembrance of  Je’Caryous. This would not disrupt the ceremony or diminish existing achievements, but instead provide a unified and respectful way to acknowledge someone who should be graduating alongside us. Our class deserves the opportunity to honor one of our own. More importantly, Je’Caryous deserves to be remembered. We urge the administration to address this concern and allow us to recognize him in a meaningful way at graduation.

Sincerely,
The Zachary High Class of 2026