Hello, my name is Hannah Killingsworth and I am a senior at North Hall High School. Hall County's Board of Education and North Hall High School have planned for this year's graduation to either be a virtual graduation or a drive through graduation. These plans do not offer a proper celebration of the Class of 2020. The counties surrounding ours have postponed graduation until a later date. In fact, Gainesville High School, which is less than a twenty-minute drive from North Hall, has postponed both its graduation and prom for a later date. The Class of 2020 deserves a formal graduation where both family and friends can gather to celebrate. Students do not see an issue with postponing graduation ceremonies until late summer/fall. Although a traditional graduation could possibly still not happen at this later date, there is no harm in waiting.

North Hall has proposed a "drive-through" graduation as the first solution to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19. This should not be the first solution given to students, as there is plenty of time to postpone graduation without interfering with a majority of student's schedules. If COVID-19 is still a concern in August and the current orders are still in place, then schools could result back to the plans that they have now. Many students are advocating for other graduation plans, such as graduation on the football field (at a later date) with social distancing tactics in place. This is just one idea, but it is an idea that the students prefer over the "drive-through" option. The students have many solutions to this issue, but all agree that graduation should be postponed.

Administrators should listen to the brilliant students they have taught and give them an opportunity to feel honored by their high school and administration. This will not happen unless graduation is postponed for a later date, or a formal graduation is put in place. Superintendent Will Schofield was adamant about having senior input on their graduation. Now, we seniors are raising our voices in request of a graduation that we deserve. We are asking to be recognized in a formal way. North Hall and Hall County Schools have always advocated for students to have a voice. Now is the time to listen to our voice and postpone graduation.