For the past 4+ years, 2020 graduates have conquered many personal challenges in order to make it this far in achieving their high school diplomas. In addition to dealing with the everyday issues that have come with living during a pandemic, this pandemic has caused many seniors to be robbed of irreplaceable high school events, such as their proms, their last performances, their last games, etc. Just as any other high school graduating class, all their lives they (as well as their parents) have always looked forward to the day when they would walk across the stage in their cap and gowns, while their loved ones cheer for them as their names are called. A high school graduation ceremony is one of the most significant events in a person’s life, and the Class of 2020 does not deserve to have this once-in-a-lifetime event skipped over them.

        Although the televised commencement and the school drive-thru events were nice gestures for a time such as this, a virtual commencement and a school drive-thru event does not replace a traditional graduation ceremony, which every graduating class before them, and possibly every graduating class after them will receive.

       We understand the unprecedented times that we are living in and do not need a specific date as of now. However, we would greatly appreciate a public commitment from TUSD to consider those who still wish to walk across the stage at their high school graduation. On behalf of the TUSD Class of 2020, we humbly ask the TUSD Governing Board and Superintendent Dr. Gabriel Trujillo to include the Class of 2020 in the next graduation ceremonies. It is unmerited for the Class of 2020 to be denied the similar acknowledgement that every other graduating class has received. 

Thank you.