Hello Everyone,
This is Shannon Menezes; the girl for whom you are supporting in this petition. I would like to sincerely thank all of you for your overwhelming support regarding the speech. The principal has finally given in writing that I can give my speech at graduation. This is a great victory not only for me, but also for all those who stood for justice and for the future of all Valedictorians. Again, words cannot describe how much your support was instrumental in making this work. Thank you so much!! I love you all :')
Please pass this news on to anyone who supported me and would like to know the outcome.
L
Lang E. Lloveras
11 years ago
This is part and parcel of the ongoing Republican War on Education, and needs to die aborning. Let the Valedictorian speak! The name actually means "the one who says farewell"! This is arrant censorship on the part of those who dishonor their positions of control, and badly need to be removed from those positions of power when they prove that they cannot handle said power with grace and responsibility. Let the Valedictorian speak, or step down!
J
John Hill
11 years ago
This Principal's position is absurd. The selection as Valedictorian bears the honor of delivering the commencement salute to the graduating class. There appears to be a sinister aspect to the Principal's position, either a good friend wants their son or daughter to speak, or, it is raw racsim!
V
Vishy Ram
11 years ago
My daughter was a valedictorian at freedom couple years back and the same principal changed the tradition and re arranged the order of who goes 1st to receive the graduation award. My daughter had worked so hard to get the well deserved honor and this haphazard principal let the president go 1st to receive the grad award before the valedictorian. I am totally for Megan's rights to speak her mind during this fabulous moment of her journey. Way to go Megan. cheers
Best wishes to you for a bright and prosperous future.
Vishy
A
Anonymous
11 years ago
she earned this chance of giving the valedictorian speech.
J
jack swift
11 years ago
When i graduated in 1964 (houghton, MI) i was pleased to listen to the valedictorian and salutatorian speak. they had better grades than i did because they worked for them harder than i did.
They earned the right to express their thoughts and feelings!
Picking someone to give the 'Graduation Speech' merely because they show an ability to give speeches makes the speech not worth listening to.
A
Anonymous
11 years ago
I really hope the school decides to give you back that honor to speak. You've worked hard for it and it is selfish and wrong for them to take that away from you.
T
Teri Shcharf
11 years ago
Wow, I am just speechless (no pun intended). Hope the school does the right thing.
W
Wmal Washington
11 years ago
Hello. WMAL Radio in D.C. is looking to talk to Shannon or a Freedom High School student about this petition. We can be reached in the newsroom at 202-686-3020. We are hoping to air the story this morning, so the sooner the better if at all possible. We realize this may be difficult since students are at school and figured we would reach out anyway,
K
Kamie Bledsoe
11 years ago
It should be HER choice to give the speech or not. Not the principals.
C
Charles Sforza
11 years ago
Change tradition by adding a spot for a deserving student to speak, not by removing a long standing tradition.
R
Rev Michelle C. Thomas
11 years ago
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere and the school is no exception!
S
Sanzio Angeli
11 years ago
I guess I can understand the school system if they would have properly addressed Megan, letting her form opinions and arguments before the school made its decision. Poor judgement call on whoever decided to remove her speech so immediately and without prior notice...
A
Anonymous
11 years ago
The fact that she even has to stand up for herself in this situation is ridiculous. It should be expected that the valedictorian speaks for and on behalf of their class. No one has anything against another person speaking, but to replace a hard earned spot is wrong. Honestly, not surprising from the eyes of an FHS alumni, but not any less disappointing.
Z
Zerell Johnson- Welch
11 years ago
She has earned this privilege. As such the educational community, as lead by the school principal should reconsider the decision to strike down this decade old tradition.
J
James E Girdon ll
11 years ago
Save the tradition
L
Lynn
11 years ago
I don't know this young lady but I hope she keeps up the fight as she has earned her right to speak at graduation. All those years of hard work deserves that recognition! Good luck to you Shannon!
J
Jeffery Gaines
11 years ago
Someone shared your story to me, so I'm jumping in to say fight the good fight you've earned it.
M
Mary K. Wright
11 years ago
My son David was a co-valedictorian at Hylton High School in 1997, and both he and the other valedictorian were given the opportunity to speak. Today he own and operates a global IT company and speaks world wide, not to mention at his youngest brother's home going celebration. Please honor her by letting her have the opportunity to give the valedictorian address. Life is too short to remove that honor. Let the other selected speaker speak also, but please give her what is rightfully hers to do. Thank you.
Hello Everyone, This is Shannon Menezes; the girl for whom you are supporting in this petition. I would like to sincerely thank all of you for your overwhelming support regarding the speech. The principal has finally given in writing that I can give my speech at graduation. This is a great victory not only for me, but also for all those who stood for justice and for the future of all Valedictorians. Again, words cannot describe how much your support was instrumental in making this work. Thank you so much!! I love you all :') Please pass this news on to anyone who supported me and would like to know the outcome.
This is part and parcel of the ongoing Republican War on Education, and needs to die aborning. Let the Valedictorian speak! The name actually means "the one who says farewell"! This is arrant censorship on the part of those who dishonor their positions of control, and badly need to be removed from those positions of power when they prove that they cannot handle said power with grace and responsibility. Let the Valedictorian speak, or step down!
This Principal's position is absurd. The selection as Valedictorian bears the honor of delivering the commencement salute to the graduating class. There appears to be a sinister aspect to the Principal's position, either a good friend wants their son or daughter to speak, or, it is raw racsim!
My daughter was a valedictorian at freedom couple years back and the same principal changed the tradition and re arranged the order of who goes 1st to receive the graduation award. My daughter had worked so hard to get the well deserved honor and this haphazard principal let the president go 1st to receive the grad award before the valedictorian. I am totally for Megan's rights to speak her mind during this fabulous moment of her journey. Way to go Megan. cheers Best wishes to you for a bright and prosperous future. Vishy
she earned this chance of giving the valedictorian speech.
When i graduated in 1964 (houghton, MI) i was pleased to listen to the valedictorian and salutatorian speak. they had better grades than i did because they worked for them harder than i did. They earned the right to express their thoughts and feelings! Picking someone to give the 'Graduation Speech' merely because they show an ability to give speeches makes the speech not worth listening to.
I really hope the school decides to give you back that honor to speak. You've worked hard for it and it is selfish and wrong for them to take that away from you.
Wow, I am just speechless (no pun intended). Hope the school does the right thing.
Hello. WMAL Radio in D.C. is looking to talk to Shannon or a Freedom High School student about this petition. We can be reached in the newsroom at 202-686-3020. We are hoping to air the story this morning, so the sooner the better if at all possible. We realize this may be difficult since students are at school and figured we would reach out anyway,
It should be HER choice to give the speech or not. Not the principals.
Change tradition by adding a spot for a deserving student to speak, not by removing a long standing tradition.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere and the school is no exception!
I guess I can understand the school system if they would have properly addressed Megan, letting her form opinions and arguments before the school made its decision. Poor judgement call on whoever decided to remove her speech so immediately and without prior notice...
The fact that she even has to stand up for herself in this situation is ridiculous. It should be expected that the valedictorian speaks for and on behalf of their class. No one has anything against another person speaking, but to replace a hard earned spot is wrong. Honestly, not surprising from the eyes of an FHS alumni, but not any less disappointing.
She has earned this privilege. As such the educational community, as lead by the school principal should reconsider the decision to strike down this decade old tradition.
Save the tradition
I don't know this young lady but I hope she keeps up the fight as she has earned her right to speak at graduation. All those years of hard work deserves that recognition! Good luck to you Shannon!
Someone shared your story to me, so I'm jumping in to say fight the good fight you've earned it.
My son David was a co-valedictorian at Hylton High School in 1997, and both he and the other valedictorian were given the opportunity to speak. Today he own and operates a global IT company and speaks world wide, not to mention at his youngest brother's home going celebration. Please honor her by letting her have the opportunity to give the valedictorian address. Life is too short to remove that honor. Let the other selected speaker speak also, but please give her what is rightfully hers to do. Thank you.
You deserve it