Issaquah students tell school board graduation regalia policy reduced recognition, ask for committee

Multiple Issaquah School District students urged the board Wednesday to reconsider recent changes that limit which stoles and cords students may wear at graduation and to create a student-inclusive committee to guide future decisions.

During the public-comment portion of the May 13 meeting, four students — including Skyline High School ASB president Archita Chopra and other ASB leaders — said the district’s new guidance removed longstanding forms of recognition. “Wearing these items at graduation is a symbol to our families, to our community, and most importantly to ourselves of the commitment we've shown throughout high school,” Archita Chopra said.

The students said the district now limits regalia largely to a student’s GPA medallion, Thespian Society recognition and small patches for IB and student government, and replaces other cords or stoles with a small patch. “By limiting regalia only to the GPA, the Thespian Society, and small patches for IB students and student government, we have significantly reduced the recognition given and unintentionally devalued the accomplishments of many of us who have gone above and beyond,” Risha Adomalu, identified at the meeting as senior class president at Skyline High School, told the board.

Student speakers said they and other ASB presidents reached out to school principals and district staff before learning of the change, and described a lack of earlier communication. “The hardest part about this decision is the lack of communication we have received,” said Elsa Huber, who said she was speaking on behalf of seniors who were surprised by the new limits.

The students asked the board to restore recognition for this year’s graduates and to create a standing graduation committee next fall that includes a range of student voices, ASB leaders and staff. “We request that this process be thoroughly conducted next year with a well-rounded panel with a variety of perspectives,” Chopra told the board.

District staff did not make a formal policy announcement during public comment; students said some administrators had called the change an effort to “ensure a common experience for all of the district's graduating seniors in alignment with the operational expectations of the district.” At the meeting students said they have drafted possible solutions and offered to share them with district leaders.

Why it matters: Graduation regalia is a visible acknowledgement of students' work in academics, leadership, athletics and extracurricular service. Student leaders told the board that removing recognizable cords and stoles can undermine the value those students and families place on extracurricular achievement.

What the students asked for: Restore recognition for this year’s graduating students and establish a fall committee — with students, principals and district staff — to develop a transparent process for future regalia decisions.

What happened next: The board did not vote on regalia policy at the meeting; the item was raised during public comment only. Several board members acknowledged the student speakers and said they wanted to see clearer, earlier communication on such decisions.

Details and context: At least four students spoke to the board during the public-comment portion on the regalia rules: Elsa Huber; Risha Adomalu, identified as senior class president at Skyline High School; Odin Harper, identified as an ASB student representative; and Archita Chopra, identified as ASB president at Skyline High School. They said ASB presidents across the district had attempted to get an explanation from principals and district staff before the enforcement of the new guidance.

Board response: Board members thanked the students for speaking and several said they supported creating a more formal, inclusive process for next year. The district’s communications and the operational basis for the regalia change were discussed informally, and board members asked staff to follow up.