A petition created to postpone instead of cancelling HSB graduates celebrations

Like all students in Quebec, the graduates at Howard S. Billings High School in Chateauguay won’t be living their ceremony and prom this year, due to COVID-19. However, the school also has a traditional grand march and a petition was created for the events to be postponed instead of being cancelled completely. In three weeks, more than 400 people have signed the petition. “The students have not only been working hard to realize their goals of graduating, but also have been looking forward to this event for many years”, says Cheryl Scutt who initiated the movement. She adds that it is even more important this year, since the 2020 class students weren’t able to finish their senior year with their friends. “A date is irrelevant at this point, insists Scutt. The students have their right to shine in their gowns and suits, to the tune of bagpipes, and retrieve their diplomas and awards in caps and gowns while marching across the stage.”