Hello, my name is Anna Gonzales I am a senior at South Side High School. As our senior year started we lost two of our fellow Hawks. Brayden Wilkerson on July 14th and Evan Scott on August 13th. As graduation is quickly approaching I’ve asked our Principal, School Board, and the Superintendent Office if Brayden and Evan would be honored and remembered at our graduation. I asked to discuss what we could do at graduation to honor them and support their family and friends during this time of grief. I’ve had one response from a School Board member and a response from our Principal. Ms. Baldwin said, “We are excited to celebrate on May 12 and we will focus on the successes and accomplishments of our graduates. It is in the best interest of Hawk Nation to let graduation focus on the joy of senior accomplishments and successes.” Although she is not wrong and graduation will be celebrating our graduates, we also need to remember the graduates who sadly are not here with us to celebrate. I am asking the future graduates of South Side if they will help me and their friends sign a petition stating that it is their wish for a moment of silence to be held for all the tragedies the Hawks have faced this year, and a open chair where Brayden Wilkerson and Evan Scott would be sitting if they were still with us today. There are 215 future graduates and I’m hoping to have the support from each and every one of you to have a prayer and open seats in remembrance for our fellow classmates. Thank you - Sincerely Anna Gonzales