Earlier this year, a group of Max and Peter's peers requested to Burnsville High School's administration that there be acknowledgement for them and other deceased students in the Class of 2025 graduation. They had discussed saving seats for them and honoring their names. However, the decision was ultimately to only include a brief moment of silence, and no names.

Both Max and Peter actively contributed to the Burnsville community. They strove to make a positive impact, and inspired many of their peers to succeed. Both of them gave so much to their high school—through their clubs, activities, service and their presence. It’s inexcusable to see that these contributors gave so much for their community, and are not even acknowledged in their graduation.

This decision was made for various unclear reasons:

"We have never done this in prior years." 

While it may be true that past graduations have not included tributes to students who passed away, that does not mean we shouldn’t begin now. Traditions are started by people who recognize when something meaningful is missing. Honoring Max, Peter, and others who were once part of our class is not just about looking backward—it's about setting an example moving forward. This graduating class has the opportunity to show that we value every student, even those who are no longer with us. Just because something hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done now, especially when it’s the right thing to do.

"The Bob Pates Stadium is not owned by us, and we can only have a certain amount of graduating seats available. Therefore, we can not save seats for them."

While we understand that seating is limited and the stadium is not school-owned, it's important to remember that both Max and Peter were on track to graduate with the Class of 2025—they would have been there on June 6th. Peter was an outstanding student with a 3.9 GPA. Saving a few symbolic seats is not about logistics; it's about meaningfulness. It’s a gesture that costs very little but means a great deal to the classmates, friends, and families who remember them every day. If they were alive, they would be walking across that stage. Their absence deserves recognition.

"We are not mentioning their names during the ceremony or during the moment of silence because we don't want to forget any of the student's names." 

While the concern about forgetting a student’s name may come from a place of caution, it shouldn’t prevent us from honoring the students we do remember—especially Max and Peter, who were well-known, loved, and on track to graduate with us. Acknowledging them doesn’t diminish others; it reflects our values as a class and a community. If the concern is about fairness, then let’s commit to remembering all students who have passed, now and in the future—not avoid naming anyone out of fear. Silence isn’t neutrality; it feels like forgetting. And forgetting is exactly what we’re trying not to do.

Honoring Max, Peter, and other students who have passed is a way to directly recognize their families, who deserve to feel that their children’s impact is remembered and valued. Both Max and Peter were deeply loved, and their presence helped shape the Burnsville community into what it is today. Many students feel a lasting connection to this school because of them—their friendship, their encouragement, their example. Their families have undergone unimaginable grief. Let's publicly acknowledge their child to help them feel supported, not forgotten.