The year 2024 marks a significant milestone. It's been four years since COVID-19 disrupted our lives, and many students were unable to experience an in-person high school graduation - a cherished rite of passage. This petition is deeply personal because the class of 2024 represents all those students who were robbed of this unforgettable milestone with their families when the pandemic hit.

We are calling on Piedmont University to make a change for these students. We urge Piedmont to create an inclusive graduation ceremony that not only celebrates academic achievements but also acknowledges what these students lost and are unwilling to give up again.

In August of 2023, future graduates were told to apply for the 2024 graduation by November 11th, 2023. The application told seniors that they would be able to invite a maximum of 10 guests. In an email received on March 21st, 2024, graduates were told that the limit is only 6.

We propose Piedmont changes the ceremony to another location such as the Habersham High School, hosts multiple graduation ceremonies possibly separated by major, or allows students to opt-in to the athlete-only graduation ceremony. The class of 2024 deserves to have a graduation that allows their family, friends, and peers to celebrate them without having to uninvite guests or choose who is most deservant of sharing their moment of accomplishment. 

We believe that it's essential for our community in Demorest and beyond to recognize these unique circumstances and provide our graduates with a memorable celebration they deserve.

Please sign this petition if you support changing the Piedmont Graduation Ceremony for our resilient class of 2024!