Sycamore’s 8^th Graders Set to Rock Graduation

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Sycamore Middle School 8^th grade graduates said goodbye to their elementary school years by holding a drive-thru graduation the evening of Thursday, June 4^th.

After the May 22^nd announcement that Gridley High School would be holding a modified graduation ceremony on their football field, Sycamore parents and graduates put up a fight to hold their own. Supportive parents and their students took the issue to the Gridley Unified School District Board meeting, with graduates addressing the board to express their stance on the subject. Among those who spoke at the meeting were four of Sycamore’s Valedictorians, Janessa Delgado, Giselle Fuentes, Salma AlfaQeeh and Kirsten Muzzy.

Despite the heartfelt pleas to the board, Sycamore students were forced to settle for a drive-thru graduation ceremony. Valedictorian Giselle Fuentes says, “We worked really hard. We just pushed ourselves to get straight A’s so to get a graduation taken away from us makes us feel… sad.” Fellow Valedictorian Salma AlfaQeeh said, “While it’s understandable why, it’s still disappointing.” Valedictorian Kirsten Muzzy expressed something that all four felt – that the board had made up its mind before they even had a chance to speak and that their words were futile. They spoke regardless. Parents of the students who courageously addressed the board were pleased. Mother Jenny Muzzy said of them all, “I’m so proud” and father of 8^th grade Alexus Porcayo, Josh Porcayo, who witnessed the speeches said, “It was amazing.” These future freshmen are an impressive bunch!

Still, the fleeting hope for a traditional graduation was a tough loss for the entire class. Valedictorian Janessa Delgado said, “We’ve seen so many others have their special moment…. It’s frustrating.” As a large amount of the graduates gathered together for a group photo for this article, many emotions were observed. Many had not seen their fellow classmates in months, and although they were excited to see each other, it was also a bittersweet reminder of what they had lost.

Meanwhile, Sycamore staff and parents are doing everything in their power to create a graduation these incredible 8^th grade students won’t forget (and not just because they were robbed by COVID19). The stage was set for the drive-thru graduation, held Thursday, June 4^th at 5:00 pm in front of Gridley High School. Vehicles carrying graduates will line up, entering from Fairview Drive and making their way around the Hazel loop. Graduates will exit their vehicles just in front of the High School and, holding to social distancing precautions, they will walk across a stage, receiving their diploma. There will be an area to pause for photos and the school has arranged for a professional photographer so that all students will be able to have a graduation picture to commemorate the event.

Congratulations to the Sycamore graduating class!