I think Principal Evelia Genera is a scumbag. One day, she'll have to answer for this horrible decision.
Woodland Cancer Student, Principal Reach Graduation Compromise
Written by Ayesha Thomas, Multimedia Producer and Dave Marquis, Reporter
WOODLAND, CA - The principal of Woodland High School will allow 18-year-old Leanna Elizalde to sit with her class during graduation ceremonies Saturday, despite not having enough credits to graduate.
However, when principal Edelia Genera was pressed for clarification on whether Leanna could participate in the symbolic graduation walk across the stage, she stated Leanna would "be on the field with her classmates and be acknowledged."
Leanna's mother Lupe Ramirez had mixed reaction to the news, stating that sitting with her classmates would be better than nothing. However, when Ramirez called her daughter to tell her, Leanna expressed disapointment and stated she would rather sit in the audience.
Since December, Elizalde had two cancer surgeries and faced weeks of radiation therapy that left her with at least one English class she has to finish in order to graduate on Saturday.
"I was falling behind in some classes. But I tried my best to catch up," she said.
Ramirez said she asked the school to allow her daughter to graduate with her fellow students, even if she had to finish her classes over the summer.
"I spoke with the vice principal. I spoke with the principal and even the school district and they're all like, nope, nope, nope, absolutely not," said Ramirez.
Woodland High School Principal Evelia Genera initially responded to News10's questions by saying, "Oh, I have no comment," and later adding, "You're not her parent. I'm not at liberty to discuss students with anyone but the parent."
Ramirez said at the time the school told her it will not make an exception to the rule that students must have enough units at the time of their graduation.
On Wednesday, News10 learned that one member of the school board supported Leanna's request to walk with her class. That afternoon, Principal Genera released a statement saying, in part, "After working with my superintendent and considering what can be done, I am announcing that the student in question and any other student who suffers from a potentially terminal illness and whose parents have not yet requested consideration be allowed to sit on the field with their classmates during our ceremony." Read Principal Genera's entire statement here.
Elizalde's doctor, UC Davis Professor of Clinical Surgery Robert Canter has written to the school to ask them to reconsider their decision, saying, "I strongly believe that (Leanna) should be allowed to participate in her graduation ceremony, and I think that refusal to do so would be construed as a punitive action unbefitting a pediatric cancer patient."
Leanna's mother works for Yolo County Recorder Freddie Oakley, who has also asked the school to reconsider - or at least allow a statement to be read at graduation honoring her.
"And I thought someone might take 60 or 90-seconds and say, 'Tonight, we also honor Leanna Elizalde, who's been fighting a courageous battle, a heroic battle against cancer."
Leanna plans to make up any unfinished class work during summer school. But she has her cap and gown, and hopes the school may reconsider before graduation ceremonies this Saturday at 9:30 a.m.
4 comments:
Must be public.
Of course!
My oldest son was diagnosed with a lymphoma shortly after his 6th birthday. The world stops when you have a child fighting a potentially fatal disease. Special events become even more special.
Public schools graduate students all the time who really haven't met the criterion.
Tell that to the POS principal at Woodland High...
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