Parents of Caddo Parish student who passed away denied honorary graduation: school board overturns principal’s decision

Mackenzie Jewitt was a senior at CE Byrd High School, who died unexpectedly on March 24 due to a medical condition. It is said that She longed to achieve an anticipated goal to graduate with her classmates on May 26, 2022. In her memory, Mackenzie's parents requested that their daughter, who was known and loved by many people, have an open seat with her name on in for graduation ceremony. They also requested that her name was announced during the graduation ceremony in her honor. The principal of the Shreveport, LA high school denied this request. Although many principals within Caddo Paris have honored their students in this way in the past, Mr. Badgley informed the parents that “he does not want to be an honor late student, because it would not be fair for other parents and would be a distraction."

According to Raylette Pinkston, Mackenzie was a heart transplant survivor of 7 years. It is said by her friends and family that she did not show on the outside, what she endured inside. She did not let her illness control her life and showed up at school by being an active part of the C.E.Byrd Lady Jackets basketball team and marching band. She was inspired so many people, young and old. A petition was started on change.org by Raylette Pinkston rendering over 20,000 signatures to overturn the decision made by the principal. A few hours later in a statement released, the Caddo Parish Public Schools Board announced a district wide "new procedure” that would allow honorary graduates who have passed away to have both an empty seat and their named during the ceremony. The school board stated "the procedure goes into effect immediately and will apply to all 2022 graduation ceremonies."

Caddo Parish Public Schools released a statement just before noon on May 6, 2022.

The procedure goes into effect immediately and will apply to all 2022 graduation ceremonies.

Charnae McDonald | Director of Communications-Caddo Parish Public Schools Board

The People’s Promise Youth Division also released a statement about the situation:

“What is happening at CE Byrd high school is a tragedy. Every student in Caddo Parish should be honored at graduation. The People’s Promise Youth Division urges Dr. Goree and the Caddo Parish School Board to push Mr. Bagley to honor Mackenzie Jewitt at CE Byrd’s graduation. Mackenzie’s hard work and dedication to Byrd should not be ignored, and her life should be honored and celebrated by her peers and teachers at the school’s graduation. High schools across the nation historically have honored students that have had unexpected passings, and Mr. Badgley should do the same. Parents and students should not have to create a petition for their passed loved ones to be honored. All Caddo Parish School principals should have the sympathy and good heart to honor all students that have graduated. All principals have the responsibility to honor and cherish the lives of all students in Caddo Parish. ‘We Are Caddo’ is the Caddo Schools motto. We will not be part of a Caddo that actively seeks to exclude Mackenzie.”

Mackenzie Jewitt will now have the honor of being recognized for what she worked so hard to accomplish and the lives she touched along the way.