Graduation is a special time, no matter your age or the place. But for some Miller High School seniors, it’s looking a little dim as nearly 50 of them are struggling to pay for their cap and gowns.
“If you go directly to Balfour where we order our cap and gowns its over $80 right now,” said Kayla Gonzalez, communities and school site coordinator.
Exactly two weeks away from graduation now, there are dozens of seniors who can’t afford to buy their graduation gear.
“A lot of our babies shower here, I have a clothes closet that they use every day and it has clothes and hygiene products,” said Gonzalez. “They shower in the gym or a lot of our kids are homeless.”
Gonzalez says this is a recurring issue at Miller H.S. Every year there’s a batch of students whose economic situation prevents them from being able to buy what they need but she says as a counselor her duty is to try and help them.
“If I can help them then why wouldn’t I reach out to the community and say, ‘hey lets help these kids,” said Gonzalez.
I do understand that a lot of people think that we’re taking responsibility away from their families, which in a way we are but it’s not their fault these kiddos struggle every day,” said Gonzalez.
Someone got wind of these kids’ financial situation and blasted a call for help on social media. Some money has been donated but Gonzalez says there’s still about 30 kids without.
“We’ll figure out a way, it’s not an option,” said Gonzalez. “Our goal is that every one of our graduating seniors have a cap and gown and get to cross the stage.”
The school says if enough donations come in they will also work to set aside that money for next year’s graduating seniors who may face similar financial hardships.
If you’d like to donate you can click here or go to miller.ccisd.us click on the Students tab, click on Web Store, scroll to the bottom and click on Miller Donations.
You can also visit the school and donate in person.
