‘They’re ruining it for everybody’: Bishop Ward parent frustrated after vandalism, postponed graduation
By Eric Graves
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KANSAS CITY, Kansas (KMBC) — Bishop Ward High School seniors will not walk across the graduation stage Tuesday evening as scheduled after a recent act of vandalism.
School leadership postponed the commencement ceremonies after seniors reportedly damaged the school building.
In a message to parents, Bishop Ward leadership said the vandalism happened the night of Thursday, May 7, and involved a “significant portion” of the senior class.
Bishop Ward parent Alexcia Gonzales said Thursday was the last day of school for seniors.
Gonzales said she called the school Friday. An administrator told her the vandals destroyed classrooms, damaged furniture, threw eggs and ripped textbooks.
“I don’t understand,” Gonzales said. “What would you think is funny about destroying a classroom? That’s not funny. Like, that’s not even considered a prank.”
Gonzales said her son, Emilio Duran, was out hand-delivering graduation announcements to family and friends Thursday evening.
“He’s been through a lot,” Gonzales said. “And he’s worked really hard. And for it to end like this, it’s just very upsetting.”
In a statement, Bishop Ward High School leaders said commencement ceremonies would be rescheduled when the Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department investigation into the vandalism concluded.
Gonzales said it’s frustrating for her son and other uninvolved seniors to be punished for the actions of their classmates.
“All the students weren’t involved, but they’re punishing everybody,” she said. “I know it’s to teach everybody a lesson, but still, it’s not right. It’s not right.”
With that graduation date up in the air, Gonzales has had to change plans quickly. Her son’s grandparents were supposed to come into town, and they had booked an Airbnb.
“Luckily, we were able to get a refund, but I had to let everybody know there’s no ceremony,” she said. “That was hard.”
Gonzales is hoping Bishop Ward will reschedule graduation, but she’s worried because she doesn’t know how long the investigation will take.
She’s hoping the parents of the students involved will help speed up the process.
“I hope if they know that their student did it, that they will make their student come forward because they’re ruining it for everybody,” Gonzales said. “I know if my son was involved, oh, best believe I would take him to the police station.”
In a statement, KCKPD said officers were called to the school before 8 a.m. on Friday, May 8, for a reported burglary.
“The initial investigation indicates that multiple persons, potentially students, gained access to the school building after hours on May 7 and vandalized several interior areas, causing damage to property. The identity of those involved and total value of damaged property is currently undetermined.”
Once KCKPD finishes up the investigation, Bishop Ward High School leadership will decide on any disciplinary actions and whether they would like to pursue charges.
Gonzales said she’s keeping a close eye on her email, hoping to see details on a rescheduled graduation date.
If not, she’s planning to give her son his own ceremony at his graduation party.
“I said, ‘Hey, if you don’t have a ceremony before this party, we will make one for you,'” Gonzales said. “We’ll do the whole thing. We’ll play the song, make you wear your cap and gown. We’ll put a red carpet down. You can walk across and act like you’re getting the diploma.”
But she and her son are both hoping for the real thing.
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