My name is Amanda Zelinsky, I am the parent of Kayden, a beloved student who tragically and unexpectedly passed away on December 10, 2023. The 2025-2026 school year would have marked Kayden’s senior year—a milestone filled with hope, achievement, and celebration. I'm asking for your support in urging the Pottsville Area School District (PASD) as there preparing to honor the graduating class, to revise it graduation protocol to better honor deceased students, as many families have faced similar heartbreak and been deeply affected by loss.
My son Kayden spent over 132 months more than 4,000 days in this school district. That time reflects countless friendships formed, lessons learned, and memories made. It is only right that his name and those of others we have lost be spoken aloud and included in the official record of their graduating class.
Currently, the district’s protocol to honor deceased students involves placing an empty chair adorned with a cap, gown, candle, and flower at graduation ceremonies. as a symbolic gesture that PASD “don't forget the ones they lost.” While this gesture is intended to symbolize remembrance and loss, it falls short of truly honoring each student’s individuality and legacy. An empty chair—unaccompanied by any verbal acknowledgment or inclusion of the student’s name in the commencement program risks leaving families feeling unseen and attendees confused about whom this tribute represents. It inadvertently shifts focus away from the graduating class rather than inviting collective reflection.
This approach does not adequately recognize the profound impact these students had on their peers, teachers, and community. It fails to affirm their rightful place within their graduating class and denies families the comfort of hearing their child’s name spoken aloud during such a pivotal event.
Therefore, I respectfully urge PASD to amend the graduation protocaol include:
- Verbal Recognition: The names of deceased students be read aloud during a dedicated moment of remembrance within the ceremony—such as during the class roll call or another appropriate segment—to publicly acknowledge their place within their graduating class.
- Inclusion in Commencement Materials: Their names be listed alongside their classmates in the official commencement program/booklet as permanent recognition of their membership in that graduating cohort.
These changes would provide immense comfort to families like mine and send a powerful message to all students: every child matters deeply, no matter how brief their time with us may be. Their memory deserves more than silence or symbolism it deserves voice and recognition.
We ask parents, students, teachers, and community members who believe in honoring every child’s memory in a way that truly reflects their lasting impact on our hearts and community by affirming that our children are seen, valued, and celebrated, not just mourned to stand with us in urging the Pottsville Area School District to implement these meaningful changes for future graduation ceremonies.
Sign this petition to support respectful recognition of all students at PASD graduation ceremonies.
18 Comments
Kayden was a great kid. Saying his name at graduation is the least the school can do after everything he meant to his friends.
100% agree! Names should be announced and they should be recognized. If they were still here with us their names would be announced at graduation. It definitely helps with the grieving and healing process.
I’m Tallica’s mom. Her n Kayden were very close. Although she’s still in placement she’d love to know they honored him correctly and personally. RIP Kayden.
I definitely believe that would be more comforting and as a mother who attended my son's graduation with just the cap and gown on and empty chair .......I had those same feelings about them being acknowledged in the commencement and program. Also I don't know if when students give a speech if they are reviewed first but someone should definitely review them because there was three students that passed and the one speech talked only of the one student not mine or the other boy that passed that was hurtful....hope this works out they deserve to be recognized
Please remember deceased former students with reverence and joy in their graduating year while celebrating the achievements of their classmates at graduation.
miss u brother
All kids should need to be recognized.
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My name is Amanda Zelinsky, I am the parent of Kayden, a beloved student who tragically and unexpectedly passed away on December 10, 2023. The 2025-2026 school year would have marked Kayden’s senior year—a milestone filled with hope, achievement, and celebration. I'm asking for your support in urging the Pottsville Area School District (PASD) as there preparing to honor the graduating class, to revise it graduation protocol to better honor deceased students, as many families have faced similar heartbreak and been deeply affected by loss.
My son Kayden spent over 132 months more than 4,000 days in this school district. That time reflects countless friendships formed, lessons learned, and memories made. It is only right that his name and those of others we have lost be spoken aloud and included in the official record of their graduating class.
Currently, the district’s protocol to honor deceased students involves placing an empty chair adorned with a cap, gown, candle, and flower at graduation ceremonies. as a symbolic gesture that PASD “don't forget the ones they lost.” While this gesture is intended to symbolize remembrance and loss, it falls short of truly honoring each student’s individuality and legacy. An empty chair—unaccompanied by any verbal acknowledgment or inclusion of the student’s name in the commencement program risks leaving families feeling unseen and attendees confused about whom this tribute represents. It inadvertently shifts focus away from the graduating class rather than inviting collective reflection.
This approach does not adequately recognize the profound impact these students had on their peers, teachers, and community. It fails to affirm their rightful place within their graduating class and denies families the comfort of hearing their child’s name spoken aloud during such a pivotal event.
Therefore, I respectfully urge PASD to amend the graduation protocaol include:
- Verbal Recognition: The names of deceased students be read aloud during a dedicated moment of remembrance within the ceremony—such as during the class roll call or another appropriate segment—to publicly acknowledge their place within their graduating class.
- Inclusion in Commencement Materials: Their names be listed alongside their classmates in the official commencement program/booklet as permanent recognition of their membership in that graduating cohort.
These changes would provide immense comfort to families like mine and send a powerful message to all students: every child matters deeply, no matter how brief their time with us may be. Their memory deserves more than silence or symbolism it deserves voice and recognition.
We ask parents, students, teachers, and community members who believe in honoring every child’s memory in a way that truly reflects their lasting impact on our hearts and community by affirming that our children are seen, valued, and celebrated, not just mourned to stand with us in urging the Pottsville Area School District to implement these meaningful changes for future graduation ceremonies.
Sign this petition to support respectful recognition of all students at PASD graduation ceremonies.
18 Comments
My brother deserved to have his name read too. It feels like they just want to hide the pain instead of facing it. Please change this policy.
Kayden was a great kid. Saying his name at graduation is the least the school can do after everything he meant to his friends.
100% agree! Names should be announced and they should be recognized. If they were still here with us their names would be announced at graduation. It definitely helps with the grieving and healing process.
I’m Tallica’s mom. Her n Kayden were very close. Although she’s still in placement she’d love to know they honored him correctly and personally. RIP Kayden.
I definitely believe that would be more comforting and as a mother who attended my son's graduation with just the cap and gown on and empty chair .......I had those same feelings about them being acknowledged in the commencement and program. Also I don't know if when students give a speech if they are reviewed first but someone should definitely review them because there was three students that passed and the one speech talked only of the one student not mine or the other boy that passed that was hurtful....hope this works out they deserve to be recognized
Please remember deceased former students with reverence and joy in their graduating year while celebrating the achievements of their classmates at graduation.
miss u brother
All kids should need to be recognized.
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My brother deserved to have his name read too. It feels like they just want to hide the pain instead of facing it. Please change this policy.