OP-ED: Downey Unified was disingenuous in its messages to seniors

By Ernesto Rojas and Chloe Jane Reyes

In Downey Unified’s most recent COVID update they wrote, “few months ago we never thought we would be finishing out the last week of the 2019-20 school year in this fashion.” And they are completely right, they did not see this coming. There has been a lack of realism and honesty in communication to seniors at DUSD. I am unsure whether this is due to incompetence or untruthfulness towards the seniors of 2020.

As early as March, I was scrolling through Instagram when I stumbled upon a post from Warren’s principal, Cari White. The announcement apologized to the seniors for the sudden cancelation of their upcoming events, but that “there have not been any discussions of cancelling Prom or Graduation… [I am] confident you will have the best Prom ever and your parents and teachers will get to see you walk across that stage.” At this point I stopped and thought about commenting on the fact that the likelihood of this being true was almost nonexistent. 

In the same timeframe, the WHO had considered the situation a pandemic and several professional sports leagues had begun to cancel events and seasons. As an MD/PhD candidate, I am surrounded by leaders in the field of medicine and science. By this time there was little expectation that any high school would have a graduation or prom.

I returned to Downey this week to see my sister for her graduation from Warren, the same place I had the honor of being the Farewell Speaker. Of course, this was going to be a different graduation given the circumstances. I was told that graduation would be postponed until a traditional one could be held. Most experts and leaders believe this will not be a possibility until at least the summer of 2021.

John Garcia, the superintendent of DUSD, said that after “surveying of our seniors and our parents... The number one choice [was] to hold out for a traditional commencement ceremony… In the summer, the fall even, or as far out as next Winter Break.” This is totally misleading, we need to be honest with our students about the severity of the situation. A large gathering of the size needed for a traditional graduation will not occur any time in the near future.

The leadership should have had the competence to plan a more meaningful experience. For example, Etiwanda High School had a safe socially distanced regiment to record all their graduates walking a stage. They edited together the footage to allow each student an opportunity to ceremoniously receive their diploma. Arcadia High School had a parade for their graduates along their main street. Some even went as far as to have a graduation ceremony in a video game.

There is a fine line between being hopeful and being misleading. Through their actions, DUSD has planted a false narrative that things will be back to normal soon. There just isn't evidence for this. I empathize with everyone who chose a postponed ceremony as their preferred option, it would be mine. However, DUSD abiding by this unrealistic solution, will only lead to an unfulfilled expectation - just as they did with Cari White’s statement.

Ernesto Rojas is a 2014 graduate of Warren High School and currently an MD/PhD candidate at UCSF school of medicine. Chloe Jane Reyes is the current Student Trustee at the North Orange County Community College District.