This KC-area student finished high school early. She’s barred from prom and graduation
Taylor Smith, a senior at Lawson High School just outside of Kansas City, has come to accept she may not be able to wear a fancy prom dress or show off the cap, gown and tassels she purchased for graduation ceremonies.
What’s stopping the 18-year-old from attending the school’s yearly commemoration of departing seniors? Smith graduated from high school one semester early, and under Lawson School District rules is barred from taking part in spring activities.
Later this month, Smith will formally ask the school board for an exception so she can walk with the rest of the 2022 graduating class.
Smith pushed hard to graduate a semester early to “save herself,” she said, alluding to health challenges. And no student should be punished for putting health first, as we all should.
The handbook states: “Should a student graduate ‘early,’ they will not be allowed to return for the end-of-the-year graduation ceremony, nor allowed to participate in activities normally reserved for high school students, to include: any/all interscholastic competitions, the junior-senior prom (unless as the date of a current member of the Lawson junior or senior class) and other activities/events as indicated by the high school principal.”
The policy has been in place nearly 10 years to curb unruly behavior from former students, interim superintendent Bill Nicely said. Students who voluntarily separate from school lose certain privileges, he said. Besides, Nicely said, students and their parents are educated on the pros and cons of early graduation and are aware of the consequences that come with the decision.
So before you have a mental health or any other emergency situation, consider the consequences?
Smith isn’t a dropout, nor was she suspended or expelled from school. “Early graduates should be celebrated,” she said.
At Lawson High, Smith said she faced constant bullying and complained to school administrators before finally leaving school early to deal with mental health issues.
She should be congratulated for doing so, ideally at graduation.
In school districts in nearby Excelsior Springs and North Kansas City, early graduates are allowed to participate in spring activities, officials said.
At this point, Smith is mostly trying to make sure no future students miss out for no good reason. And though she’s showing more maturity than some of the adults in her life are, it’s not too late for them to reconsider.
Young people such as Smith and others should be highlighted during graduation ceremonies, not prevented from attending end-of-the-year celebrations. Lawson School District officials should let her walk.
This story was originally published April 12, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "This KC-area student finished high school early. She’s barred from prom and graduation."
