A Missouri household mentioned they have been shocked and disenchanted to search out that their 14-year-old daughter, who just lately died of most cancers, was not honored on the faculty's commencement ceremony.

I made a promise to her earlier than she handed away that I would not let anybody neglect her. I used to be anticipating them to honor her with a second of silence, an image of her, a reserved seat, one thing in her honor, one thing to acknowledge the truth that she had been a pupil right here for over seven years.
Lindsey Patton, Kaitlyn's Mom

The mom of Kaitlyn Atrip advised native media station Fox 2 on Monday that her daughter's title was not talked about throughout an eighth-grade commencement ceremony at Crystal Metropolis Junior Excessive on Could 18. Atrip died from stage 4 rhabdomyosarcoma, a uncommon type of childhood most cancers that impacts muscle tissue, simply three weeks earlier than the ceremony passed off.

"Kaitlyn ought to have been there," her mother, Lindsey Patton, advised Fox 2. "I made a promise to her earlier than she handed away that I would not let anybody neglect her. I used to be anticipating them to honor her with a second of silence, an image of her, a reserved seat, one thing in her honor, one thing to acknowledge the truth that she had been a pupil right here for over seven years," she continued.

In response, Patton advised Fox 2 that a group of household and mates determined to jot down chalk messages outdoors of the varsity for Kaitlyn.

Missouri Graduation
A Missouri household mentioned they have been shocked when their 14-year-old daughter, who died of most cancers, was not talked about throughout faculty commencement. Right here, a representational photos exhibits college students throwing their commencement caps within the air. Christopher Furlong/Getty Pictures

The messages learn, "Congratulations, Kaitlyn. We're pleased with you. You probably did it," in response to the information outlet.

Nonetheless, faculty officers later "scolded" the household for writing the messages with out permission, in response to Patton.

A day later, she mentioned that the varsity power-washed the chalk away and took down balloons left in Kaitlyn's honor.

"You'll be able to't wash away her reminiscence. You can also make us wash off this chalk, however you'll be able to't simply wash her away like that," Patton advised the media outlet.

In a press release to Fox 2, Superintendent Matt Holdinghausen didn't title Kaitlyn instantly, however responded in a press release by saying that "college students and employees have misplaced a buddy and a caring particular person who won't ever be forgotten."

...Our academics and employees are additionally right here to help all these which are hurting due to the lack of their buddy. Could our group be inspired to help one another and the household throughout this time.
Assertion from Holdinghausen

"The loss of a kid is all the time a tragedy and may by no means be measured and our ideas and prayers are with the household. Our college group retains counselors on employees to be of help to any pupil that wish to discuss and grieve. Our academics and employees are additionally right here to help all these which are hurting due to the lack of their buddy. Could our group be inspired to help one another and the household throughout this time," Holdinghausen added.

A number of native companies just lately gathered to honor Kaitlyn by placing up their very own indicators and balloons and permitting family and friends to re-write the chalk messages.

"We had indicators right here, and our indicators had footage of Kate. And we had it say, 'We is not going to neglect you, Kate,'" Katy Lewis, the proprietor of Vivian James American Magnificence advised Fox 2. "That is not what our city is about," she added. "We are going to by no means let anybody go that means."

Newsweek contacted the Crystal Metropolis faculty district for extra remark.