As the students, parents, and legal guardians of the class of 2021, we petition to alter the Leander Independent School District back-to-school proposal in order to allow seniors the ability to return to school on an earlier start date. While we acknowledge the severity of COVID-19 and the concerns of teachers and facility members, we considerably dislike the order of return. We feel as if starting with 9th-grade rather than 12th-grade prevents the class of 2021 from experiencing all of the great moments and possible memories senior year permits. 

1. There are more seniors involved in varsity sports than any other grade. Most seniors will not participate in sports at the collegiate level, therefore, every opportunity to partake in practices, games, and team meetings is both crucial and meaningful to the class of 2021.
2. Aside from varsity sports, almost every senior is involved in at least one school-related activity. Choir, band, theatre, art club, NHS, HOSA, student council, anime club, photography club, NEHS, Mu Alpha Theta, WISE, and SNHS are just a few of the senior-led organization's students in the class of 2021 are missing while online.
3. Many seniors take their younger siblings to-and-from school. Thus, by allowing the students who drive to return to school first, students would be able to give their younger siblings rides to school once their siblings’ grade is allowed to return. 
4. Seniors have begun applying to college and require counselor assistance. With 520 students in the senior class, emails to-and-from the counselors remain insufficient. In-person meetings with teachers and counselors will make a huge difference as seniors finish up the application process. 
5. Senior classes such as practicum, a class that introduces 12th-grade students to the medical field, are unable to be brought to fruition online. 
With 279 days until graduation, we, the members of the class of 2021, are unfortunately experiencing our last year of high school online. We will forever remember our years as students in the Leander Independent School District; please give us the opportunity to create a few more lasting memories.