Mothers push for deceased students to be honored at Union County graduations
Two mothers are calling for children to be acknowledged during graduation ceremonies in Union County despite their physical absence.
They say hearing their child's name called from the stage could begin a sense of healing.
Selina Austin and Leslie Stanfield both had students who were a part of the Class of 2025 for Union County Public Schools.
ALSO READ: 'So vague': Parents demand change at Union County school after threatening incidents
Selina Austin's daughter Gabriela was a student at Piedmont High School. However, four months before graduation, Gabriela died in a crash after suffering from a seizure.
Monday night, Selina Austin attended what would have been Gabriela's graduation. She said she asked for an empty seat for her daughter's gown with a photo and for Gabriela's name to be called.
'She worked very hard for three and a half years to earn everything that she earned, and then for it not to be recognized,' said Selina Austin.
However, she said she did not receive that.
Leslie Stanfield said she asked the district for something similar for her son, Christopher Stanfield, who died in a crash. But she only received a yearbook and tickets to what would have been her son's graduation, set for Wednesday morning.
'It hurts because, you know, one of the things he was looking so forward to was graduating from Porter Ridge,' Leslie Stanfield expressed.
The district said it's against protocol to say the names of students who have passed away during the diploma distribution. This is something both moms hope will change.
'I think it should be up to the family,' said Selina Austin.
'I just feel like saying his name lets us know that he was here, that he was significant, that he meant something,' said Leslie Stanfield.
Over the summer, the district said it will be reviewing the death protocols to evaluate guidelines and processes for memorials.
VIDEO: 'So vague': Parents demand change at Union County school after threatening incidents
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Mothers push for deceased students to be honored at Union County graduations
Two mothers are calling for children to be acknowledged during graduation ceremonies in Union County despite their physical absence. They say hearing their child's name called from the stage could begin a sense of healing. Selina Austin and Leslie Stanfield both had students who were a part of the Class of 2025 for Union County Public Schools. ALSO READ: 'So vague': Parents demand change at Union County school after threatening incidents Selina Austin's daughter Gabriela was a student at Piedmont High School. However, four months before graduation, Gabriela died in a crash after suffering from a seizure. Monday night, Selina Austin attended what would have been Gabriela's graduation. She said she asked for an empty seat for her daughter's gown with a photo and for Gabriela's name to be called. 'She worked very hard for three and a half years to earn everything that she earned, and then for it not to be recognized,' said Selina Austin. However, she said she did not receive that. Leslie Stanfield said she asked the district for something similar for her son, Christopher Stanfield, who died in a crash. But she only received a yearbook and tickets to what would have been her son's graduation, set for Wednesday morning. 'It hurts because, you know, one of the things he was looking so forward to was graduating from Porter Ridge,' Leslie Stanfield expressed. The district said it's against protocol to say the names of students who have passed away during the diploma distribution. This is something both moms hope will change. 'I think it should be up to the family,' said Selina Austin. 'I just feel like saying his name lets us know that he was here, that he was significant, that he meant something,' said Leslie Stanfield. Over the summer, the district said it will be reviewing the death protocols to evaluate guidelines and processes for memorials. VIDEO: 'So vague': Parents demand change at Union County school after threatening incidents
Miami Herald
03-06-2025
- Miami Herald
Navy-bound teen fatally shot three days after graduating high school, IL cops say
DeAngelo Miles had recently received a high school diploma and was preparing to join the U.S. Navy this summer, according to his school and local news outlets. But his plans came to a halt when he was found fatally shot in the head in a Chicago alley on June 1, just three days after he graduated high school, police said. A relative was with Miles when they heard gunshots at around 3 a.m., police said. The witness found Miles shot in the head, according to police. The 17-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Chicago police and the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. 'It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the loss of De'Angelo Miles, a recent graduate of the the Class of 2025, Hansberry College Prep said in a statement. 'Our hearts are heavy as we grieve his passing.' Miles was attending an after-prom party the night of the shooting, family told WLS. The school's principal told WGN that Miles played football and was planning to join the U.S. Navy after graduation. No one is in custody, and detectives are investigating, according to police, who did not give a motive for the shooting.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Yahoo
Mass. firefighter arrested at work in connection with child sex abuse materials
A Massachusetts firefighter was arrested at work on Wednesday in connection with owning and sharing child sex abuse materials. Kyle Lichwell, 34, of Sterling, was charged with two counts of possession of child pornography and two counts of distributing material of a child in a sexual act. He was a full-time firefighter in the town of Berlin but officials said he is no longer employed by the town. The town said although the investigation was months long, it didn't know about the allegations until May 28. Lichwell was arrested at 7:30 p.m. the same day. The Berlin Police Department was notified with a tip by Massachusetts State Police Cyber Crime Unit/Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force on April 11. The investigation led them to Lichwell. 'As Chief of Police, I'm very proud of how everyone worked together for a very successful conclusion in this matter,' Police Chief Sean Gaudette wrote in a press release. Scammer told her to withdraw $20K and stop talking to her family — so she did 'It's complete': Officials detail 'chilling sequence' prior to fatal shooting Mass. casino winner: Slots player bet $1.80 on jackpot spin Community Preservation Committee to hold informational meeting Westfield High School announces Bronze Tablet nominees for the Class of 2025 Read the original article on MassLive.
