Ridley High School senior Christopher Dillon died suddenly ten days ago of what might have been an undiagnosed heart condition.
Chris was set to graduate along with the rest of the Ridley class of 2010 on June 10th. That, now, will not happen. However, his mother, Mary, is asking the school district to walk that day and pick up her son's diploma.
"Just let us take the walk, shake the hand, and go back to the bleachers," Mary said.
But when Mary Dillon asked Thursday, her request was turned down by the school superintendent. He said the family would be given the diploma before the ceremony and there would be a moment of silence to remember Chris, but he felt it would be inappropriate for anyone, but class members to walk.
Mary is concerned about what will happen when Chris' name is called during the walk.
"We're sitting in the stands, we're looking at an empty seat, they call his name and there's nobody," Mary said.
Early today, using Facebook, the Dillons organized a petition and e-mail campaign to enlist Chris' friends and their parents, in an effort try to sway the Ridley School superintendent to change his decision.
