Letter to the Editor

Disappointed with ceremony

Sunday, June 21, 2009

To the Editor:

Our son graduated from Northview on May 29, 2009.

Graduation night is supposed to be one of the most memorable nights for the graduate, as well as for the parents.

But when our son, or us parents think back in the years to come of his graduation night, we'll always remember the night our son didn't get his diploma booklet handed to him on stage. We were denied seeing our son get one of the most important documents that he should have received while walking across the stage.

Adam struggled through school, but really cracked down and hit the books hard his senior year. Passed all the requirements to be able to graduate, thus making his parents and family very pleased.

Great job Adam, as well as the whole 2009 graduation class!

Was Adam upset over what had happened? Yes, and he had every right to be.

After graduation, I asked Mr. (Lynn) Romas if this was the largest graduating class that had been through Northview.

His response was no and there had been a mistake for not having enough of the diploma booklets on stage.

I then went over and asked Mr. (Tim) Rayle why there weren't enough diploma booklets and his response was they were misplaced and was a mistake.

Because of this mistake, 18 students did not receive their diploma booklets in front of their family and friends. These were later found to be sitting next to the actual diplomas that were given out after graduation.

Wouldn't the correct thing to do, would have been to announce there had been a mistake made and there were not enough diploma cover booklets brought forward? At this time, the diploma booklets would have been found and brought forward, thus allowing the remaining students to receive their diploma cover booklet and pictures be taken?

Instead, they continued on with the ceremony as if it wasn't a big deal.

Although we, as parents, were sitting there in astonishment as to why this was taking place.

How would the principal, assistant principal and the school board feel if this happened to their son or daughter on their important night?

My wife and I wish the class of 2009 the best for a job well done and hope each one of you success in everything set out to do.

Sincerely,

Rick and Norma Wells,

Brazil