Graduation is something that every senior looks forward to, whether they are proud of their achievements or ready to be done. We all know the past year has been hard with families across the district being forced to change their way of life. So if graduation is the end of this doubled-down, horrendous chapter in our lives, will everyone get a chance to celebrate? 

Activities Director, Erin Fekjar, leads the team in charge of putting on graduation for every senior class. This includes yearbooks, senior t-shirts, mugs, blankets, tassels, and of course the graduation itself. But these things are by no means free. But of course they are not, the school has to make money somewhere, to fund other activities for students. However, just because they have a price does not mean it is a price everyone can afford. 

“We are trying to make things affordable for all our Bruins. Costs keep rising and we are trying to hold the bottom line to make it easier for families to celebrate and recognize how they would like to,” said Fekjar.

Fekjar noted that profits from sales are “all variable due to the volume sold.” Looking at the exact profit margins of each item , the school is definitely not gouging our wallets. So if it’s not the school’s fault graduation packages are expensive what is the school doing to help those families who are trying to decide between groceries, a tank of gas, and graduation? 

“We have created payment plans for those wanting to purchase a book,” Fekjar said. However, there is no payment plan for the $100-$300 graduation packages available. So how are struggling families supposed to pay for these packages? 

Ted Hollister, Spanish Teacher, founded More For Students to help students with food insecurity and transportation and ultimately help with any fee-based school opportunities. This ranges from buying prom tickets to handing out gas and grocery cards to those who need them. 

Hollister said, “We are currently talking to Fekjar about helping out seniors this year in any way we can. We would need to decide if $60 is better used for graduation packages over a week’s worth of groceries or gas… We have not been specifically asked and would have to look into it before putting any money forward. Our priority is always the health and security of the students and their familie.” 

Although More For Students does not currently plan on directly paying for graduation packages, they are making it so that families don’t have to decide between gas, groceries, and graduation. They free up their financial situation to allow families to choose on their own if these packages and items are something that is important to them or their student. And to some families, this is the most important thing to happen in their family tree. To those students who are the first in their family to graduate high school, this is everything. 

If you would like to donate to More For Students’ cause or catch up on their latest miracles, please read this newsletter and check the bottom for directions.