When seniors think about graduation, they think about walking across the stage and seeing all of their family waving and cheering for them. One senior this year, however, will not be.

Camila Barbosa, a Brazilian exchange student, is not allowed to graduate while here at Free State.

Senior Ashley Rasmussen and her family are hosting Camila for her stay.

When Rasmussen and Barbosa first found out, their immediate reaction was to talk to Ed West.

“It ended up that she [Camila] can’t walk with us,” Rasmussen said. “ I was really annoyed, and confused because she missed her graduation at her high school in Brazil so she doesn’t get a high school graduation. She is coming here, taking legitimate classes and actually getting credit for them, but she isn’t considered a real student. I think it’s more of a not wanting to change the rules thing.”

“I feel kinda sad because I don’t get a chance to graduate and I feel left out,” Barbosa said. “I understand though. It’s all the exchange students. When I first found out, I was surprised because I always thought all of the seniors were allowed to walk.”

Even though she is taking senior classes, has been here since the first day of the 2011–2012 school year, and is keeping at least a “C” average, Camila will not be walking along side her friends at one of the biggest moments of the senior’s high school career.

When asked why Barbosa could not graduate, Principal Ed West had a simple, yet unfair statement.

“None of our exchange students are allowed to graduate,” West said. “They do everything else from Prom, to Homecoming, but they do not get their high school diploma. Not just Camila, but all exchange students in general.”

Understandably, Barbosa can’t get her legitimate diploma while here, but Rasmussen and Barbosa  do not understand why she [Camila] can’t at least walk.

“They don’t even give you an actual diploma,” Rasmussen said. “It’s just a piece of blank paper.”

Unfortunately for Camila, she can not graduate while at Free State; however, the classes she is taking now will transfer to her high school in Brazil.

Although she isn’t allowed to be involved with graduation, she is still considerably happy about living here.
“It’s a great school and I really love the teachers and students” said Barbosa.