Hello Everyone, 
It's unfortunate to hear that the WCUSD has decided to decline our request for honoring Samantha, besides her name in the graduation program and honorary diploma (given privately due to circumstances).
As much as I have advocated our feelings as a family, with community and students; Flores's position is that they are worried of triggering students with this graduation remembrance.
Even despite what current research, associations, and studies support in remembrance and honoring's.

With this decision, I agreed to disagree, In hopes to advocate further for students.
With this meeting yesterday, I have also had the opportunity to discuss physical remembrance within the schools (As have been done for countless other staff, naming the field, Bulldog murals, creating memorial flower gardens, benches, etc.).
I love the opportunity to further discuss creating a physical remembrance for Samantha, along other students who have passed in recent years, to be honored as they deserve.
This becomes a part of history, and a great facility for future generations to use, each lunch around, and appreciate the scenery. Just as students and staff appreciate the current physical memorabilia around campus.
Along with this, I hope to work with Emy Flores to advocate for revision to policies, in response to loss of a student. I feel that our WCUSD can handle these situations better in the future, and having policies to address this will encourage them to have best practices for the family, students, and community. I also think that this discussion and revision of policies will cause much less distress in aftermath of a loss.
I hope to work, and push my will and love to create a better path for others. 

In gratitude of this community's amazing support, and the love of WCHS and WCUSD students and staff that supported, I have decided to honor my Sister's memory another way this graduation season.

We the Vuong family will be donating FREE green graduation leis and Sam's famous green butterflies to the WCHS Graduating Class of 2024, Sam's Classmates, and her friends<3

When: Thursday June 6th, 2024 (Until 6:45 PM)

Where: 1305 E Cameron Ave, West Covina, CA 91790 (Cameron Park Community Center)

I genuinely hope to continue this work, for future students, families, and community members.

Loss is devastating, but I wish to carry on my Sister's legacy in caring so much for community, and her friends and class that she loves dearly.

Samantha constantly extended herself to others, and worked so diligently for the success of ASB at WCHS. And countless other actions to her community.

Please follow/contact me at my Instagram @jade_ _vuong for updates, and future work with the District.

Special shoutout to our beautiful and strong Carlee Macias for speaking at the WCUSD Board Meeting on 5/14/24. Her words were touching, clear, and encouraging to see her speak for Sam and her Classmates.<3 Thank you Carlee~

With heartfelt gratitude,

Jade Vuong