We did it! Evan Cornell will be speaking at our graduation!!

He called me earlier to inform me that our petition and movement were successful! Santa Fe High School Administration called him earlier this evening and finally offered him the opportunity to speak at the 2023 Santa Fe High School Graduation Ceremony! And he graciously accepted their offer!

He has earned this! We cannot wait to hear what he has to offer in his address at graduation!

I want to share my many, many thanks to everyone who supported Evan and his cause. We could not have done it without the support from our amazing community. This cause did not just go county-wide, or even state-wide, but nationally. People from across the country exercised their voice and helped to make this a reality.

We met our goal of 500 signatures within the first four hours. And then by 24 hours later, we had received over 1,500 signatures. Which is truly amazing.

Thank you to everyone who not only signed, but shared, and posted, and spoke about this.

Change at Santa Fe High School is eminent. We did it!

I truly feel that justice has been served.

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After being named the 2023 Santa Fe High School Valedictorian, Evan Cornell has been denied the ability to speak at our graduation ceremony.

Graduation is May 27th at 6 pm. It is approaching very quickly, so something must be done. Now. A resolution is necessary. We must speak up and advocate for what Evan has not just worked hard for, but earned.

Our goal is 500 signatures. But more than 500 is greatly appreciated.

Despite the expectation and tradition that the valedictorian always speaks at high school commencement ceremonies, our school administration and graduation coordinator have refused to give him the opportunity to speak at graduation. This is simply wrong, disrespectful, and needs to be resolved immediately.

After speaking with a number of my fellow classmates and teachers, I have realized that we all share the same shock that Evan will not be speaking. Beyond this, we have all been shocked to find out that the valedictorian is not automatically offered a speech to begin with. The SFHS valedictorian is not even given the first right of refusal to a speech. This is simply improper and needs to be fixed. Being named valedictorian is such a big deal. It is such an enormous academic and life achievement. Such an honor deserves a celebration. The valedictorian deserves to be able to speak on behalf of their class and offer insight on their experience over the four years that they have spent at Santa Fe. This is the best way in which the valedictorian can be celebrated properly. Evan has truly gone above and beyond and worked his butt off to achieve this.

Year after year, the Santa Fe valedictorian has been a speaker at our graduations. It has simply become a tradition. Even when no one auditioned for a speech last year, administration still approached the valedictorian first about the opportunity to speak. At Santa Fe we seem to always abide by tradition, but not this year? Why is Evan’s situation different? Why isn’t he allowed to speak?

Evan has done nothing wrong, except prove time and again that he is a stellar student who deserves to be celebrated. His messaging and timing were not an issue with those on the committee, once again proving that he did nothing wrong to see himself disqualified from offering a speech. He confided in several classmates that he has worked towards being named valedictorian his entire high school career and has looked forward to the ability to speak at graduation since the beginning. So why isn’t he able to do so?

It is not just an issue of fairness, but an issue of principle. For so long it has been tradition that the valedictorian speaks at our SFHS graduations. Why change it up this year?

Along with advocating for himself to be able to speak at our commencement, he is also fighting for future valedictorians and making sure they rightfully get to be heard. The valedictorians have worked so hard for this honor and opportunity, with being top of their class why shouldn’t they be able to offer an address before their graduating class?

I am calling on the senior class, the student body, and the public to help Evan get the chance to speak at the 2023 SFHS Graduation Ceremony. He has truly earned it. He has worked so hard day after day for the title of Valedictorian. As well as calling on everyone to offer support in Evan’s fight for change to help future valedictorians. Something must be done. Immediately. 

Evan Cornell must be given the opportunity to speak at graduation.

 

Please share with everyone that you know, especially those in the Alachua and High Springs area. And those in the Santa Fe High School Community.

Any questions and concerns can be directed towards the school:

(386) 462-1125