NJ Student Council Presidents To Gov: Let Us Graduate In Person

NEW JERSEY — Seventeen student council presidents and senior class officers at public and private schools around New Jersey sent a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy on Sunday requesting "live, outdoor graduations this summer with social distancing," rather than the restricted ceremonies the governor has approved so far.

The letter comes on the heels of a viral letter posted on Instagram Tuesday by Westfield High School Senior Class President Alexis Hammer. Hammer had asked why the governor was allowing people to fill the Jersey Shore beaches, but not permitting in-person high school graduation ceremonies. The viral post earned more than 28,000 likes in two days, with more than 10,000 comments for and against.

Murphy, who has changed the rules on public ceremonies several times, indicated last week that he may update the requirements for graduation ceremonies as early as Tuesday.

To keep up with local and statewide breaking news when it happens, and get a free local newsletter each morning, sign up for Patch breaking news alerts and daily newsletters.

On May 13, in response to the coronavirus crisis, Murphy issued an order allowing only graduations and other public ceremonies that follow strict rules about social distancing.

Executive Order 142 allows gatherings in vehicles. But attendees must remain in the same car throughout the gathering, and the vehicle must remain closed unless there is six feet of distance between other vehicles or individuals. People outside their cars have to wear face coverings.

Some schools have already planned virtual gatherings instead.

In the letter from students, posted above in part, students wrote that "a football field can safely host a socially-distanced gathering of up to 1,250 people."

They noted that, "As seniors, graduations are the culminating celebration of twelve years of hard work and an opportunity to express thanks."

They also said that the current state trends in hospitalizations and new cases of coronavirus are declining.

Gov. Murphy has said that reopening plans will come in stages and will be based on case data.

The students signing the letter were:

Oliver Adler, Cherry Hill High School East; Rohan Amin, Delbarton School (Morristown); Charlie Baker, Millburn High School; Alexander Chon, Montclair Kimberely Academy; Christopher Civetta, Randolph High School; Jeffrey Deiss, Ridgewood High School; Alexis Hammer, Westfield High School; Brandon Hersh, Seton Hall Preparatory School (West Orange); Brian S.-K. Li, Pingry School (Basking Ridge); Payman Mahdi, Montclair Kimberley Academy; Edward O'Keefe, Ridgewood High School; James "Burke" Pagano, Pingry School; Elizabeth Payne, James Caldwell High School (West Caldwell); Christina Rosamond, Villa Walsh Academy (Morristown); Marielle Santos, Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan; James Serruto, Millburn High School; Dennis Vink, Fair Lawn High School.

As of Sunday, 11,133 New Jersey residents had died from coronavirus, and 154,154 had tested positive for the virus. That update included 54 new deaths in 24 hours and 1,065 new positive tests.

This was down from a peak on April 30, when 460 New Jerseyans lost their lives to the virus in 24 hours, or one person every three minutes.

The daily increase in fatalities has begun to gradually decline, but state officials have said their reopening has to occur in phases to avoid a new spike in infections. Last week, Murphy began announcing plans to reopen businesses, facilities, and day cares in stages.

Have a story idea or want to reach out? Email caren.lissner@patch.com. To keep up with local breaking news when it happens, and get a free local newsletter each morning, sign up for Patch breaking news alerts and daily newsletters.