Two South Portland Students Are Being Heroes For Their Classmates

Eden York and Zoe Collins are the kind of people you want in your corner in a pinch, and that's exactly what the South Portland High School Class of 2021 is finding out right now.

According to a GoFundMe page (more on that in a second) that's been set up by Zoe for the Class of 2021 at SoPo High, last week while lining up to both practice the graduation march as well as receive their caps and gowns, some students found out on the spot that they wouldn't be able to receive theirs due to outstanding class dues.

Somehow, there was some confusion in the messaging when this all happened, and students left with the thought that unless they fully paid the class dues that had been accumulating from as early as middle school (and not talked about leading up to graduation until the aforementioned line up for caps and gowns), students with outstanding balances would not be able to walk at graduation; however, Zoe cleared the miscommunication up.

We have since talked to the principal, (and) Ms. Laforge guarantees that no matter how much is owed, students WILL still be able to graduate/ attend and walk at graduation. This was not obvious to us, and many others when being denied our caps and gowns due to these fees.

Before the clarification from SoPo High staff, Zoe and Eden both set up the GoFundMe with the purpose of raising enough funds to make sure that every single one of their classmates would be able to walk due to paying their class dues debt. Even though everyone will walk regardless, the GoFundMe is still active and students still need help with raising funds.

According to Channel 8 WMTW, even though all students will walk, students with outstanding balances will not be given a cap and gown to walk in at graduation. The GoFundMe goal is set at $3,000, and at the time of this writing just under 1/3 of the goal money has been raised. The GoFundMe states that outstanding dues for students are anywhere from $6 for some to $700 for others.

Kudos to Zoe and Eden for setting gears and a goal in motion to look out for their classmates on what could very well be considered the most important day of these students' lives thus far.