On April 29, 2020, Superintendent Jenkins of the Orange County Public Schools system announced that the district plans to hold a virtual graduation ceremony on June 4th.

After 13 years of hard work, dedication, and resilience our opportunity to walk across that stage to celebrate in front of our family and friends has been stripped from us. We dreamed of the day to put on our cap and gown and wait for our names to be called to receive the diploma we worked so hard for. Now, the Class of 2020 is not receiving the ceremony that exemplifies their devotion to their studies. We are asking the seniors to be honored and celebrated the way they deserve.

Our students have not had a voice in this decision making. The Orange County school board  made a decision because of COVID-19 with no input from our graduating class. Our surrounding counties will honor their seniors by hosting a graduation in July. We are requesting our seniors have the same opportunity instead of a virtual ceremony. This might be easier for district leaders to orchestrate a virtual graduation, but our SENIORS want their voices to be heard, and postpone the ceremony to a later date that ensures a safer date. The lasting memories of their senior year have been taken such as grad night, prom, spirit week, and senior bonding. The Class of 2020 deserves to be sent off with the support and encouragement from their community.

We hope you take our concerns into consideration and revoke the decision to hold a virtual ceremony on June