Forgotten Graduates

This unsightly mess is where my 18 year old daughter was supposed to graduate on June 21st. Instead, the school board chose to destroy the field a month before graduation, as they did not want the 2012 Fall Football season to be moved to another location for a few games.

My daughter and her classmates tried to have the project delayed, but contracts were signed and back-door deals done, months before anyone knew about it. School board's like City Councils, have closed-door meetings, where decisions are often made without consideration to those that may be hurt in the process.

Several beautiful trees have been destroyed, much to the horror of the local tree preservation groups, and most of Glen Rock. My daughter has been at this school since she was in 5th grade, traveling back and forth by bus each day from her elementary school for advanced classes.

As soon as she hit High School, the school began construction of a multi-year project. As a Senior, most of the major work was complete, and the students got their Senior Lounge back, as well as their beloved school courtyard. Everything seemed fine until word leaked out that the football field was being redone because of flooding, and that graduation would have to be moved elsewhere.

Elsewhere? Since when do you graduate from GRHS "elsewhere?" Never.

I post this photo today, because we still do not know where graduation will take place. The local rumor mill is full of many possible scenarios, but one thing is for certain, the class of 2012 is not happy. Forgotten and abused, they have been forbidden to print their college destinations in the school newspaper, and most Senior activities have been abandoned.

For my daughter, Rachel, I hope that you have beautiful blue skies and wonderful memories of your graduation day, regardless of where it is held. Within 2 months, you will be living on 3rd Avenue in New York City, and putting these days behind you.

A new chapter is about to begin. Go for it and don't look back.

I haven't met a person yet who wants to return to high school.