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Crater girl�s circumstances may keep her from the pomp Bob Pennell / Mail Tribune Tiffany Freader, center, a Crater High School senior, is surrounded by her charges at a daycare center in Central Point, where she works after school. Home-schooling her first two years of high school has kept her from getting enough credits to graduate � and walk in commencement. Her classmates and some parents are circulating petitions hoping to persuade administrators to change their policy. By Vicki Guarino CENTRAL POINT � Crater senior Tiffany Freader knew she wouldn�t receive a diploma with her classmates. But she had been hoping to join them in the graduation ceremony anyway, and maybe receive some kind of certificate. Many of her classmates and their parents agree that Tiffany, formerly a home-schooled student, should be able to participate with her class. Petitions circulating in school and around the community say rules that appear to bar her from the June 7 ceremony are unfair. After all, says Elaine Barnes, the parent of a graduating senior, Tiffany has earned good grades and was even named band student of the year. "It just doesn�t seem fair that she can�t walk with her class," says Barnes. So she wrote the petition asking Central Point School District administrators to take another look at graduation policy. Her daughter, Carrie May, and other students have been collecting signatures. So have Tiffany�s co-workers at a Central Point daycare center. "She has worked very hard to get where she is and she deserves to walk," says Carrie, who collected signatures from about 100 classmates who agree. "Every student I talked to about it signed." Tiffany has been surprised and encouraged by the response to her plight. "I thought it would just be a few of my friends," Tiffany says. "I didn�t think it would become this cause. "I�m kind of shocked. I�m not used to all this attention." The policy that is blocking Tiffany�s path to the commencement stage is a simple and long-standing rule, says Principal Ron Williams. "The graduation ceremony is for the students who have completed all the requirements for a Crater diploma," Williams says. "That was established by the board. "This is the ceremony for the diploma. If they want a Crater High School diploma, they have to meet the requirements." The requirements include earning at least 50 class credits in all of the courses set out by the board, including four years of English. Credits must be earned at Crater or at an accredited school. As a home-schooled student for her freshman and sophomore years, Tiffany lacks sufficient, recognized high school class credits for a Crater diploma. "We kind of knew all along that she wouldn�t get a diploma," says Tiffany�s mother, Kristi Freader. "But we thought she would be able to walk with her class." And despite the two years at home, Kristi Freader says, her daughter feels as though she is a part of Crater�s Class of 2000. The family moved into the Central Point district when Tiffany was a sixth-grader. She attended Scenic Middle School. While being schooled at home, Tiffany participated in Crater�s band and choir. "She has been with these kids since the sixth grade," Kristi Freader says. Barnes says she intends to present her petitions to Central Point administrators next week. Tiffany says she hopes the effort will lead to a change in the graduation policy. And, she says, "I would really like to walk with my class." Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA