TUESDAY'S HUM (6-13-06 )

MMU BLUES
Loud Hum re: MMU student who will not be allowed to walk with her mates at graduation. TV, Free Press and WVMT's Charlie and Ernie show have all jumped on this story about honors student Elissa Roberts, who, because of illness, does not have enough credits to graduate at this point. Despite missing much time due to a neurological disorder, Roberts is a top student. She and her family have sent a letter to the principal, contacted the CESU super and petitioned the school board, all to no avail. Roberts has many friends backing her; many of these kids have been together since elementary school.
The school board rejected the petition behind closed doors, taking about an hour to decide. They stuck with policy, saying they wanted to avoid the issue of favoritism.

• PRO - C'mon, make an exception. The kid's an honor student. Despite her illness, she has caught up and is an exemplary member of the senior class. every once in a while you gotta say to heck with the 'policy.'
• CON- Rules are rules! There are other kids in similar circumstances who haven't got all the media attention and had to forge on. What about a kid from three years ago who couldn't walk with his class because of illness. How would he feel if an exception was made.

We at Vermont Hum feel MMU should let Roberts walk. We also feel there should be new policy, one which entrusts the decision of graduation particulars to a review group, made up of peers, educators and parents. Maybe Elissa Roberts can be a catalyst for policy change, directly or indirectly.