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BISD seniors urge board to keep Class of 2025 graduation at Sam Stadium, cite 2,800-signature petition
Summary
Two seniors and a petition backed by more than 2,800 signers asked the Brownsville ISD board to keep the Class of 2025 graduation at Sam Stadium rather than move it to Venida Sports Park. Board members expressed sympathy but took no formal action during the special meeting.
Miliani Arredondo and fellow senior Christian Martinez told the Brownsville Independent School District Board of Trustees on March 14 that moving the Class of 2025 graduation from Sam Stadium would force students to limit which family members could attend.
The students said a petition supporting graduation at Sam Stadium has more than 2,800 signatures. "By moving the Venida Sports Park, you are forcing students to make the impossible choice of limiting which family members and close friends can attend one of the most important days of our lives," Arredondo said.
Arredondo and Martinez said the stadium tradition matters to families and cited earlier board discussion in October in which board members noted a memorandum of understanding with the city that would allow use of the sports park “so it would not cost the district any money to use it.” The students also said renovations at Sam Stadium, previously said to begin in January, had not started by March and that other events had remained allowed at the stadium.
Board members thanked the students for speaking and said they appreciated the petition and the students' perspective. Board member Alexander said he signed the petition and called the students “two very important future people in our community.” Superintendent Travis Chavez, who was present at the meeting, was thanked and welcomed back earlier in the agenda but made no formal announcement about a venue change during public comment.
No formal action or vote on the stadium or graduation venue occurred at the March 14 special meeting. The matter remained a topic of public comment and discussion; board members indicated they would consider options but did not adopt a resolution or set a binding timeline during the session.
The students recommended alternatives such as moving interim football games to the sports park or Veterans Memorial High School Stadium so Sam Stadium could remain available for graduation once renovations are complete. They urged the board to prioritize graduating seniors’ ability to have extended family attend.
