APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – As we inch closer to summer, high school students across the area are getting ready to walk the stage for graduation.
But some parents are criticizing one district in the Fox Valley, for the way it’s been handling certain graduation honors.
In one week, the Appleton Area School District will be celebrating its class of 2023.
Kara Muchow has two children that go to Appleton North.
“My son is a freshman, my daughter is a graduating senior.”
She says when her daughter entered her freshman year, she wanted to be involved in different clubs and sports.
“When she started she said, ‘You know, my goal, when I graduate is to have a bunch of different cords that I get to wear for graduation, recognizing all of the things I’ve been involved in and all the achievements that I’ve had.”
When the time came to order her daughter’s cap and gown, Muchow says she received no information about the cords.
“She said, ‘Oh I found out that Appleton North doesn’t allow the students to get the cords.”
Muchow then says she reached out to North’s principal for clarification.
“He shared with me that they stopped doing the cords several years ago.”
FOX 11 reached out to Appleton’s district for an interview.
The district tells us in a statement that each high school still provides gold ceremony cords for students who earn a 4.0 as documented on their official transcript.
In addition, each high school has their own traditions and practices to recognize graduates. None of these traditions or practices have been changed for this year’s graduation ceremonies.
“I believe it should be all or nothing. If they’re going to do this, then they need to do it all across the board,” said Kim Moeller, a parent who also has a senior at Appleton North.
She was just as surprised to learn about the policy as well.
“I think they’re sending a message that you have to be perfect or you don’t get any recognition.”
Some cords worn by seniors in years past included other colors, like blue and gold for National Honor Society, or red for blood donation.
Tyana Eggert, a 2013 graduate from the Appleton Area School district, says not allowing students to show their achievements is the opposite of inclusivity.
“I was beyond proud to wear my Gallon Grad cord for donating a gallon of blood (8 donations between age 16 and graduation) before graduating,” said Eggert in a statement. “If a student worked hard to earn a cord, they should have every right to wear it, otherwise, what’s the point in trying.”
FOX 11 reached out to Oshkosh and Green Bay’s districts on their approach at graduation ceremonies.
In Oshkosh, honors students get cords, high honors students get stoles, and highest honors students get hoods.
They also have cords for National Honor Society.
We did not hear back from Green Bay officially, but parents tell us they allow a variety of honors to be worn.
“I think taking it away without a lot of parent consideration, from my understanding it was a leadership decision, so that just seems like a miss to me,” said Muchow.
Appleton East, North and West will be holding their 2023 graduation ceremonies on Wednesday, May 24.
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