This is Mackenzie Jewitt. Mackenzie Jewitt was a senior at C. E. Byrd High School who unexpectedly passed away on March 24th. She was so eager to accomplish a major goal and graduate with her classmates on May 26, 2022. Mackenzie was well known by many and loved by those who knew her including students, teachers, and faculty. 

She had a heart transplant 7 years ago and just looking at her from the outside, you wouldn't have been able to tell that she had endured so much. She didn't allow her illness to control her life and she showed that by actively being a part of the C. E. Byrd Lady Jackets basketball team and the marching band. Her strength and resilience admired so many people, both young and old. 

Mr. Jerry Badgley, the principal of Byrd, has denied Mackenzie's parents' request of honoring her at graduation by simply leaving a seat vacant for her and calling her name as an honorary graduate with a moment of silence. Although many principals within Caddo Parish have honored their students in the past by doing this very thing, Mr. Badgley states that he does not want to honor her because other parents and other students may take offense to it and that it would be a mental distraction from the ceremony and the students. 

This is devastating that a school that Mackenzie has spent all four of her high school years with are treating her as if she's not a part of the graduating class of 2022. Many of her friends have expressed that they want to honor her at graduation. Some have even suggested and wanted a mini slideshow to give them one last time of celebrating something so monumental in honor of a classmate that they love so dearly. 

Mackenzie's parents have spoken with the leadership above Mr. Badgley and they were told that the decision is ultimately up to the principal of the school. 

So this petition is for all students, faculty, staff, friends, and loved ones who would like to share their support in honoring Mackenzie Jewitt during graduation with her designated seat in the audience amongst her classmates and her name to be called as an honorary graduate with a moment of silence. This should not be too much to ask for a school system that stands by the motto, "We Are Caddo". 

Please help support this great cause by signing this petition that will honor Mackenzie Jewitt as an honorary 2022 graduate of C. E. Byrd High School.