Ron Schenone

Cancer Student Can't Walk On Stage With Her Class During Graduation

Posted by on Jun 5, 2008 | 8 Comments

A student in Woodland, California who is a cancer survivor, has been barred from walking across the stage with her fellow students, because she does not have enough credits to graduate. After a fire storm of public outcry, the student is now being allowed to sit with her fellow students and will be publicly acknowledged for her fight against cancer. In a local news brief it states:

WOODLAND, CA – The principal of Woodland High School will allow 18-year-old Leanna Elizalde to sit with her class during graduation ceremonies Saturday, despite not having enough credits to graduate.

However, when principal Edelia Genera was pressed for clarification on whether Leanna could participate in the symbolic graduation walk across the stage, she stated Leanna would “be on the field with her classmates and be acknowledged.”

Leanna’s mother Lupe Ramirez had mixed reaction to the news, stating that sitting with her classmates would be better than nothing. However, when Ramirez called her daughter to tell her, Leanna expressed disapointment and stated she would rather sit in the audience.

Since December, Elizalde had two cancer surgeries and faced weeks of radiation therapy that left her with at least one English class she has to finish in order to graduate on Saturday.

I think she should be given credits for a life experience and what she learned while fighting cancer.

What ever happened to common sense and compassion?  What harm would it do to let her walk across the stage with her fellow students?

Comments welcome.

Source.

  • teddgcm

    While it is sad and terrible that she has cancer, the requirments for graduation must be enforced for everyone. If she is missing credits, then she should not graduate. If she does, then who’s to say that later down the line a child might cite other reasons that they didn’t finish their requirments. I broke my leg, I’ve been under stress, Car accident, whatever. We all know how America works and as soon as you give one person a pass, 100 others show up wanting the same treatment. I say cudos to the pricipal for enforcing the requirments and maintaining the integrity and meaning of graduation for the other students who did complete the requirments.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Agree about the credit part. She is not looking for special credits.

    She just wanted to walk across the stages. :-)

  • kevoc2008
  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    If they don’t let her walk across the stage, the entire school board will look like horses asses. IMHO.

  • williejr

    Let her walk. Give her a blank dipolma. Do to the nature of her lacking a credit in that class, it is a given that she will take the required class, summer or night school or just be given the english test. If ahe passes it she should be given the credit.

  • teddgcm

    Walking across the stage symbolizes that you have completed 12 years of hard work and have reached a new point in your life. Yes, it’s just a symbol, but symbols are important. If someone who did not complete those requirments were allowed to walk, it would cheapen the experience for the rest of the young men and women. Sure, more than likely no one would complain but honestly, at that age, how would it have made you feel if someone who had not completed the requirments were allowed to walk across the stage even though they failed to graduate, reguardless of why? No, I’m not a “cold” person, I’m just trying to look at this from the other side. I’m sure the decision was a hard one to make and took alot of thought and consideration.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Hi williejr,
    “Let her walk. Give her a blank diploma”
    My feelings as well. The kid missed her English class because she had cancer. She wasn’t out screwing around.

    Hello teddgcm,
    I respect your opinion and hear where you are coming from.

  • Rick Olsen

    It’s not about the feelings in this case. I don’t think anyone reading about her story wouldn’t have deep sympathy.

    But, graduation is for completing the course of work. When she completes the course, probably the next year, she gets to walk in graduation. If someone did not complete the required courses or failed a course, they would not be allowed to walk either.

    I do believe that she should be honored for the struggle and acknowledged by her class. But, we cheapen so many symbols and honors today, because we do not want to hurt someone’s feelings. She is a special person and should not have to walk with her class to feel otherwise.