A Woodland, California high school senior with cancer is being denied the honor of walking with her class at graduation because she has one class left to catch up over the summer.
18-year-old Leanna Elizalde has had two cancer surgeries since December, and endured weeks of radiation therapy that left her behind in her studies. She worked hard and was able to catch up in all her classes except for English, which she plans to finish at summer school.
Leanna’s mother Lupe Ramirez attempted to persuade the school to allow Leanna to walk in the graduation ceremony with her fellow students, as she plans to finish her class over the summer. Despite talking with the vice principal, the principal, and school district officials, she has been rebuffed at every turn.
Woodland High School administrators have refused to comment to any press regarding this incident.
Leanna’s doctor at the University of California - Davis, Robert Canter, has even gone so far as to write a letter to Woodland High School principal Evelia Genera hoping to encourage the school to reconsider their decision, saying that refusing to allow her to graduate with her class would be perceived as a punitive action toward his pediatric cancer patient.
Whatever the outcome for participating in the ceremony, Leanna plans to make up her unfinished English class work during summer school. She already has her cap and gown, and has hopes that Woodland High School will reconsider their decision before Pomp and Circumstance starts playing this Saturday morning.
What do you think - should Leanna be allowed to march with her class, provided she finish her studies over the summer? Let the Principal and administration at Woodland High School know!
Woodland High telephone: (530)-662-4678
E-mail the principal: Evelia Genera - egenera@wjusd.org
Call the school district office: (530) 662-0201
- ask for the superintendent, Jacki Cottingim
7 comments ↓
I’m not sure how Woodland High School will benefit from not allowing Leanna to walk at the graduation ceremony…
She is fighting cancer and her will to graduate from high school is strong, stand behind her and support her.
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[…] Calif. High School Denies Graduation to Senior with Cancer18-year-old Leanna Elizalde has had two cancer surgeries since December, and endured weeks of radiation therapy that left her behind in her studies. She worked hard and was able to catch up in all her classes except for English, …Awful Marketing - http://awfulmarketing.com […]
[…] Calif. High School Denies Graduation to Senior with Cancer18-year-old Leanna Elizalde has had two cancer surgeries since December, and endured weeks of radiation therapy that left her behind in her studies. She worked hard and was able to catch up in all her classes except for English, …Awful Marketing - http://awfulmarketing.com […]
With gas at over $4.00 a gallon, chaos in our economy, rising food prices, and thousands dead because of typhons or earthquakes in Asia, there is an opportunity to provide a moment of inspiration and hope for the truimph of the human spirit. I am surprised that this school system has not jumped on this opportunity as a source inspiration during these toubled times.
She should definitely be able to walk with her class. Here’s an online petition–maybe it’ll help urge the school to rethink their awful position.
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/letleannawalk/
If this young woman is terminal she should be allowed to walk with her class. If not, she can walk with her class next year. I personally, would not object to her walking this year for that matter, but, if she is not terminal, I can see the point of the school board. You know how that goes, if you make one exception……and there you go.
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