Loved ones of Wilson Augustave Jr., a Newark student who drowned last year, are urging school officials to honor him with an empty chair at tonight’s graduation, according to RochesterFirst.com. The 17-year-old was part of the Class of 2025 and remembered as a beloved friend and musician.
District leaders declined the request, citing trauma-informed practices and concerns about triggering emotional harm. They instead proposed a balloon release after the ceremony. Family and friends say that’s not enough, calling the decision hurtful and dismissive of Wilson’s memory.
A public outcry continues as the community demands a more visible tribute on graduation day.
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