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ADVICE | IN THE NEWS

HS senior not allowed to graduate because he was taking care of his sick mom

 
Seventeen-year-old Austin Fisher is a varsity baseball player, a high school senior and by all accounts, a fantastic son. This year, he missed 16 days of school to take care of his mom, who has cancer. You’d think he’d be rewarded for doing what’s right, but instead, his Cleveland school district has informed him that he can’t walk at graduation. Why? Because technically, kids can only miss 14 days of school a year.

 

Now, playing by the rules is all well and good, but when it comes to a situation like this, we’re thinking it’s time to give the guy a pass and a major pat on the back. And maybe a bug bear hug. And a medal. And his diploma!

 

An alum from his HS is leading the charge to get the school’s officials to reverse their decision. A few days ago, she posted a petition on change.org. Right now, it has over 16,000 signatures. With your parents’ permission, we encourage GL readers to log on and make a difference. It’s quick, it’s easy and it really can make a difference in this wonderful guy’s life.
 
Update on April 17: Huzzah! After 90,000 people signed the Change.org petition, school officials relented--Austin is gonna walk at his graduation with the rest of his class!
 
 

BY BRITTANY TAYLOR ON 4/16/2012 4:28:00 PM

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41 Comments | Add Yours
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That is terrible,I am glad he got to graduate. Caring for someone you love dearly in a hard time is well worth not graduating high school. That is so not right it is great they made the exception!!

by b2b4b6 on 7/23/2012 5:14:57 PM

 
 

I believe he should be able to at least walk across the stage with his class. I believe he should make up any credits he missed over the summer & when he has done so, make it official he graduated high school.

by sadea on 5/5/2012 12:35:02 PM

 
 



MOD MOD MOD!My grade is taking a trip to Chicago and I can't decide whether to go.We aren't goin anywhere exciting but i've never been out of state.It cost a lot so i don't want to waste money.Only one of my friends are going,they stick us in random groups and I hate EVERYONE in my grade.Should I still go???

 

 If you can afford it I think you should. Travel is always an interesting experience and you can learn a lot about yourself and others from it. You might not like your peers now, but travel tends to create bonds that are a lot of fun Smile 


Helen S.

by moosempepper on 4/20/2012 2:59:36 PM

 
 

why is this in advice? random, i know but still.

by Glitterheart16 on 4/19/2012 12:45:14 AM

 
 

I'm glad the district changed their decision. What a lame reason to not let him graduate!

by astrostar88 on 4/18/2012 9:36:23 PM

 
 

as of monday, hes now able to graduate!!! woohoo!!!

by ostar21 on 4/18/2012 4:46:57 PM

 
 

@beachgirl324

I agree COMPLETELY. This is kind of sad. He was helping his mother.

by toadie101 on 4/17/2012 8:14:59 PM

 
 

If his grades were under C's then I can understand where the school is coming from. But if his grades were A's or B's then they are just stupid!

by Aislinn120 on 4/17/2012 7:34:57 PM

 
 

That is RIDICULOUS!!! This kid wasn't sitting at home playing hooky...he was taking care of his sick mother. He seems like an amazing son! I am so glad the school changed their mind and are allowing him to graduate after all! Congratulations, Austin Fisher, and I hope the best for your mother!!! Smile

by izzy99 on 4/17/2012 5:09:23 PM

 
 

my instant reaction was, "omg, seriously?" I'm glad they decided to let him graduate, but they shouldn't have needed 90,000 signatures to do so.

by beachgirl324 on 4/17/2012 2:19:53 PM

 
 

This goes along with my sister. She was out sick for a while. All of her grades are A's and B's and our principal is talking about holding her back. It's rediculous!

by crush2010 on 4/17/2012 12:31:29 PM

 
 

Ridiculous... As long as he was doing well academics-wise, there is no reason he shouldnt graduate!

by jaydawg14 on 4/17/2012 8:09:18 AM

 
 

He was taking care of his sick mom for goodness sake! He should be allowed to graduate. What if someone who is in the school district(like adult workers) parent was sick and they missed work for a few weeks to help their parent, and they were told they cannot go back to work because of it? This kid should be an exception to the 14 day rule.

by caitwon on 4/17/2012 6:13:52 AM

 
 

WOW! NOT COOL AT ALL! I am soooo gonna sign this. Some people are so cruel! This kid is an angel and this is how he gets rewarded. I also hope his mom is feeling much much better!!!

by sprinklz28 on 4/16/2012 8:39:52 PM

 
 

HE'S GOING TO GRADUATE!!!!! I just signed the petition and read the update that he WILL be allowed to walk at graduation! At 57,000 signatures, they decided to let him walk. All I can say is ABOUT TIME!!!!

by Fly1213 on 4/16/2012 8:37:45 PM

 
 

I signed the petition- but that is the most idiodic thing ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! just let him graduate. i hope everyone ffrom is grade just sits down. not graduating until he does.

by sweettooth825 on 4/16/2012 8:26:31 PM

 
 

That is sooo stupid!!!! I think our school would be happy about it, not telling him he can't graduate. Tong Seriously!

by taylorswiftfan1233 on 4/16/2012 8:18:06 PM

 
 

MOD MOD MOD
We get report cards Friday, and this is the first time i have gotten a grade as a 'C'. My mom flips out when i get grades below b's so how should i tell her that i really will try to get it back up to an 'A'? Its already the fourth quarter, which means, after fourth quarter there is no more school and it is summer break. THANK YOU SO MUCH!



Hey girlie,

Explain to her that you had a bit of a tough time this quarter in that class, but you've gotten past it and you'll do better.  You did after all still get a passing grade! Jordan S.

by madisklogg on 4/16/2012 8:16:45 PM

 
 

Normally, I can understand not being able to graduation for missing an excessive amount of days of school. But shouldn't his situation be that one situation? Not many boys his age , would do what he is doing and I'm sure if he a varsity baseball player he is trying to get good grades in school. The limit of absences is fourteen , and he's only passed that by two showing that he's trying to take care of his sick mom, make it to school, get good grades, and play baseball all - why should he be punished for this? i think what he is doing is great and i'm sure his mom is proud of him.

by michipie205 on 4/16/2012 8:13:42 PM

 
 

seriously? thats insane. helping his mom is.....way WAY better than anything else. he should def graduate. thats soooooooooooooooooooooo mean n dumb. i signed the petition 2. he totally deserves his diploma.

by musikluvr17 on 4/16/2012 7:38:33 PM

 
 

Well...Ohio Schools ARE extremely dumb. Yeah, I go to one. Frown
I'm just about to sign it...

by fungirl123 on 4/16/2012 7:26:04 PM

 
 

*chants* LET AUSTIN GRADUATE! LET AUSTIN GRADUATE! LET AUSTIN GRABUATE1!!!! GIRLS, CHANT WITH ME!!! COPY THIS IN PUT IT IN OTHER COMMENT SPOTS AND HELP AUSTIN GRADUATE!!!!!!!!!! =-P TAKE THAT HS IN COLORDA!!!!!!

by Sam Cool1038 on 4/16/2012 7:10:38 PM

 
 

THEY REACHED 50,000!!!

by Payton K on 4/16/2012 6:57:19 PM

 
 

That is ridiculuas( I can't spell) He was two days over the unexceptable days to be away, he was caring for his mom. Geez! I signed the petitionSmile Hope he graduatesSmile

by Melissa227 on 4/16/2012 6:50:57 PM

 
 

i Was totally gonna sign but they requested my address and mom said no. I feel so sorry for him. My old room mate was told he wasn't allowed to graduate because his dad had shipped him off to a christian camp in canada earlier last year. this year he took computer classes in the HS computer lab after being payed for by a sponsor. He graduated last month and holds up a successful career and supports his friends and family in their decisions for him, except for the arguments about how him being gay effects them so much and blah blah bla. we invited him into our home and he got back onto his feet. I feel that Austin Fisher has even more rights to graduate because up a responsibility that i'm sure few would be able to uptake. along with his career, education, and even taking on the responsibility of taking care of his mother. TOTALLY WISH U LUCK AUSTIN FISHER!!!

by HaloAngel99 on 4/16/2012 6:44:34 PM

 
 

I just signed the petition!
Go Austin Fisher!

by Danerka on 4/16/2012 6:17:54 PM

 
 

oh my gosh! i hope he graduates! i mean, GIVE HIM A BREAK! how would u feel if u were in his situation???

by myfatsquirrel on 4/16/2012 6:08:45 PM

 
 

the school officials should be ashamed...this guy deserves to graduate as long as his grades were kept above average. shouldnt they check his records, see that he is a good student, and realize that he missed school to care for his sick mother? so what if he missed two extra days of school! he was doing the right thing by caring for his mom. LET HIM GRADUATE!

by nikole141417 on 4/16/2012 6:00:46 PM

 
 

Omgosh... Wow WHAT JERKS!!! Now, that's just mean, expesially from hearing what he has been going through.... And also, on a side note, he is CUTE!!! ;P

by JessiJo77 on 4/16/2012 5:57:33 PM

 
 

36,498 10 minutes later!! this is blowing my mind i was just reading the comments and in went up 1500 they raised their goal to 50,00!! for all the bad publicity i think the school will let him walk just because they are bring embarrassed!!

by Payton K on 4/16/2012 5:46:12 PM

 
 

that's so sad! he should be able to graduate! it would be one thing if he was just ditching school, but his mom's got cancer, so come on people!!

by music_lvr on 4/16/2012 5:38:41 PM

 
 

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! I just checked it (30 min ater thee last time and it went from 27,738 to 34,859!!! in 30 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!! that is crazy i wouldn't be surprised if it was done by tonight!! only like 150 more to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by Payton K on 4/16/2012 5:37:11 PM

 
 

hey gal! do you need to lose weight? then join my club! its called get thin NOW! i give out tips, healthy recipes, exercises, and encouragement every single day! join please

by bubbles3956 on 4/16/2012 5:36:17 PM

 
 

okay, if he kept his grades above a c average and did all the makeup work, they shldnt give a flyin flip unless they were gonna help the poor guy! i mean i get it that 14 days of hooky isnt right(OR ANY 4 THAT MATTER), but 4 taking care of his mother! re-DUNK-ulous LET THE GUY GRADUATE!!!

by cullenchic10 on 4/16/2012 5:35:56 PM

 
 

I think he should be able to walk. He only missed to extra day for helping his mom.

by ColleenMonster on 4/16/2012 5:31:38 PM

 
 

Wow, that is stupid! my mom and I signed right away!! Actually no there is 27,738 out of 35,000 signatures now!!

Hey girls! Are you sick of boring old lol or just tired of people replying to texts with just those 3 letters? Why don't you reply with another set of 3 letters and mix it up! Reply with... Olo!!! Olo = Orally laughed out!! And join my club Olo - Join the Revolution!!

by Payton K on 4/16/2012 5:08:54 PM

 
 

This is crazy! I just signed that petition!This kid deserves that diploma!!!!

by smiles48 on 4/16/2012 5:07:01 PM

 
 

That is unacceptable. He should get an award or something for his honors. That is completely unfair, because schools make exceptions all the time. They should let him graduate.

by joykip on 4/16/2012 5:00:23 PM

 
 

That is just horrible...the school is evil. His mother has freaking cancer!!! Ugh people are so unsympathetic.

by BabyDahl13 on 4/16/2012 4:52:35 PM

 
 

That is sooooo dumb!!! He should be allowed to graduate! It's not like he was ditching. He was taking care of his SICK MOM!!!!!!!!!! Frown

by future_artist on 4/16/2012 4:51:28 PM

 
 

thats so mean!!! he was trying to help his mom....

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by ostar21 on 4/16/2012 4:47:00 PM

 
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