This afternoon parents and students of the Class of 2020 were notified that graduation would take place on June 20th, in the form of a drive-by ceremony. Just a few weeks prior, students were sent a survey to vote on a desirable option for a graduation ceremony, among these options included a socially-distant ceremony that would take place later in the summer or the fall. Now, it has come to our attention that after June 30th, we would no longer be considered Trumbull students and thus can not graduate after that date.

Speaking for the voices of the students of the Class of 2020, we deserve a proper ceremony when it is safe to do so and “red tape” about a June 30th date should not be a factor. How can the town attorney say after June 30th, we are not your students? We have delivered nothing but excellence these past four years. We have won sports championships, we have won academic competitions, we have won honorable awards, but most importantly, we have poured our hearts and souls into the Trumbull Public School system. You can see some of our students of the Class of 2020 tutoring students who are academically challenged, leading clubs, volunteering around the community, but most notably, being the face of your school system. We have carried the weight of the world on our backs the last four years trying to make Trumbull Schools be one of the top schools in Fairfield County. Now more than ever, it is not time to turn a blind eye to your students in not commencing their graduation the right way. Us and our fellow classmates have worked far too hard over the past 12 years and a drive-thru graduation ceremony does not do justice to all that hard work.

Just recently, the state New Jersey ruled they can have socially distanced graduation ceremonies after July 6th. When schools first shut down due to the pandemic, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont waived/modified the law that required 180 school days. We need you to represent us, just like we represented Trumbull for so many years. And that is a socially distanced, in-person, graduation on the turf of Trumbull High School later in the Summer. 

Principal Guarino, Superintendent Ralph M. Iassogna, speaking for the Class of 2020, I want to celebrate with my best friends in person, not through the window of my car. I hope you can deliver on this, just like we delivered for you for so many years. Once an Eagle, always an Eagle.

- Nolan Shay and Anushka Sharma and the Class of 2020