Due to COVID-19, the graduating Class of 2020 for Queen Anne's and Kent Island High Schools have been denied the opportunity to walk across the stage and receive proper recognition for their accomplishments over their high school careers.  The surrounding counties have all devised plans that allow their students to feel the satisfaction of sporting their rightfully earned cap and gown and the respect of being handed their diploma face to face and in front of loved ones, while QA & KI have been given only a virtual slide show and will be mailed their diplomas.  This is unacceptable.

Being as how other counties have found ways to better honor their graduates in these trying times, I and many others, see no reason why the same courtesy can and should not be extended to our graduates as well. There have been numerous suggestions submitted by not only students and parents, but county residents as well to Superintendent Dr. Kane and the principals at both schools involved, all of which have been ignored and disregarded! It is not enough that they have been stripped of their senior events such as prom, senior trips, pinning ceremonies and missed out on the final days of their one and only senior year, now they are being asked to accept sub par celebration of what is one of the most memorable occasions of their lives.

Graduation is a right of passage, and for most, a significant step in their journey to adulthood.  Many of these kids have put countless hours of hard work and determination into achieving this milestone, only to be disregarded and denied proper pomp and circumstance.  I urge each and every student, parent, relative, friend of these students, as well as residents of Queen Anne's County to petition the superintendent, Dr. Kane along with Principals Amy Hudock and John Schrecongost to reconsider their plans for graduation and revise them to honor these students in a more appropriate way.