To the editor:

I’m writing this in regards to the graduation for the Class of 2026 for the Fort Dodge Senior High. Three of the classmates were not there. Two died in a car accident. The other one was murdered.

My granddaughter, who was their friend, wanted to say something about them at graduation. She asked the principal, and at first she said yes, then she said no. How sad my granddaughter couldn’t say something about them.

She also asked about letting some balloons go to celebrate them and was told no. Guess what — we released them anyway. Some other people in the stands did, too.

How come they couldn’t set up three chairs and put flowers on them? I would have paid for the flowers at no charge to the school system.

How come they wouldn’t let one of the parents walk across the stage to get their child’s diploma? Other schools have done this. People in the bleachers were upset about this, too.

The family came to show respect for their child, but got a slap in the face instead. It should have been a peaceful day for them, but it was a sad one.

Don’t worry about these three wonderful kids. We will always remember them.

Maybe a moment of silence would have been nice.

Necia Marque

Fort Dodge