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School district considers ending 8th grade graduation

By Arnold Wyrick

BENTON,IL (KFVS)- There are certain times in every student's life that are important and memorable. One of those is graduation day.

But, just how important is graduation day when you're in the 8th grade?

That's the question school leaders, students and parents in Benton's middle school are asking.

"I just don't agree with it, I think it's wrong," says Nichole Neal of Benton, IL.

"My son will be graduating next year and I want to see him graduate the eighth grade. That's important to me."

The school board president Dave Severin says the board doesn't want to diminish the students achievements. "But, we do want to move away from the traditional graduation ceremony. Exactly where we go from here is still undecided," Severin said.

Some students feel it's important to keep the ceremony, as they feel it's their 'right of passage'.

"This is a huge step in our lives and we should always remember this. Last year they got to do it," says Kelcie Vaughn of Benton, Ill.

"And I don't think they (the school board) should be able to take something that is important to us, away from us."

"I've always looked up to the upper-classman. Last year I was an honor student and I was able to go to the graduation ceremony," Macyn Tonn said.

"And looking at how happy all the kids were, I was thinking I'm going to get to do that next year."

The debate on whether or not the graduation ceremony will change for this year's 8th graders in Benton continues on Tuesday night during the school board meeting.