Why are we quiet?

To the Editor:

I am writing this to make a difference and have an impact on our community. Before I get into the subject of this tragic pandemic, let me introduce myself. I am an 18-year-old girl who is a senior at Sonora High School. While writing this letter I think I speak for everyone on behalf of students who are participating in distance learning.

To SHS: At first, seniors were told the senior project was going to be “based on why we should graduate.” At the time, it opened my eyes to the question of why should I graduate? I'm not doing well in my classes, I'm stuck at home, should I graduate?

Yes, I should! You as the school board let people get away with not finishing their senior project in 2020 and still graduated, yet you expect the class of 2021 to finish a modified project halfway through the school year to be able to graduate. The majority of the school is failing at least one or more classes, yet you call “office hours” as a source of help, thinking we have time when in reality we are overloaded with schoolwork, may work full-time jobs, have to watch their siblings during Zoom because the parents are at work, or students have to help parents and the household financially because of this pandemic.

So, why should we be able to graduate? They are holding us accountable for this unrealistic idea for these learning curriculums you provided for COVID-19 that are causing all of us to fail and be incapable of having sources for help, not just the students but take in consideration the stress of parents. So, as you like to say to us when turning in a late assignment, or our internet is down, or when we don't call for a missed Zoom to dismiss an absence: NO EXCUSES!

Savannah Rankin Sonora