Since graduation last June, the matter of what represents a major rite of passage for seniors has arisen. While some believe that the graduation ceremony validates seniors’ hard work, others believe that the diploma does.

During the graduation ceremony, about 15 students who weren’t graduating were allowed to cross the stage, said acting Dean Erie Lugo. This policy in effect last year but not this year, allowed these seniors to make up needed credits during the summer. Under former Dean John Marquet, only if it were possible to make these credits up during the summer were students allowed this privilege, Lugo said.

Lugo said he sees more value in the diploma, not the stage.

“Graduation to me is having that piece of paper and transcript for college,” he said. “Just because they walked doesn’t mean they are getting a diploma.”

However, teachers were not informed of this policy and some said that it shows little regard for academic standards and hardworking seniors.

Math teacher Fanta William said graduation is a reward for graduating seniors.

History teacher Robert Donnelly said the ceremony is a traditional and important rite of passage for the deserving.

“It’s not an E-Z pass,” Donnelly said.

Graduating seniors were also not informed of this policy and some see it as unfair. A lot of people worked hard to set foot on that stage said Charles Bowers, a senior who graduated last year.

“It was unfair to have people who didn’t [work as] much to graduate walk across the stage,” Bowers said.

Some also said they think this policy negatively portrays the school. Junior Stephannie Nicholson said it gives the school “a big front” as if it were perfect.

History teacher Joseph Timpanaro said he is neutral on the issue but that it sends a bad disciplinary message.

Union president Jesse Thatcher said it devalues hard work.

However, Lugo said he sees it as unfair for those who worked hard for four years but failed one or two classes to not participate in the graduation ceremony. He said that this is a common practice among high schools. One of the students who crossed the stage did not make up the credits in the summer, he said.

This year though, he said the policy will not be in affect. He said he realizes that this will make seniors hustle more to graduate.

“[I] want to send the message that if you don’t do work, you won’t graduate,” Lugo said.