Nine Clovis North High School students are fighting to overturn a decision barring them from the graduation ceremony, just weeks before the big moment.

The ban stems from school staff finding alcohol on party buses taken to the prom by a group of more than 30 students.

The district excessively punished the students and did not equally distribute consequences amongst all involved, according to attorney Steven Smith, who is representing the banned students.

“What we’re asking for is equity in the punishment, not that no punishment be issued,” Smith said. “We’re prepared to take whatever punishment. We’re just asking for some mercy.”

Students Appear at Board Meeting

The students and Smith made their case at the Clovis Unified School District board meeting on Wednesday night.

“I’m devastated that my family is not able to see me walk with my graduating class and celebrate such an important milestone,” one student said.

Their parents are threatening litigation if the students can’t participate in the graduation ceremony.

Clovis Unified said it is enforcing a policy spelled out in senior contracts and dance contracts.

“We start that conversation really early,” district spokesperson Kelly Avants said. “You understand what the standard is going to be, and you understand that failure to meet the expectations could lead to not being able to participate in the important additional events.”

“Does it happen regularly based on choices that are made after they have committed to avoiding certain behaviors? Yes, it’s not unusual.”

Students Punished While Others Dodge Penalties: Attorney

The district suspended the students — all of whom admitted to drinking — for five days and prohibited them from walking.

However, Smith said, Clovis North let off students amongst the group who denied drinking.

“(The students) were told that if they admitted, they’d be treated better and they all admitted,” Smith said of his clients.

One party bus company, Royalty Coaches Inc., said drivers check for alcohol and will end trips if underage drinking is spotted.

“Kids these days, they’re smarter than we were back then,” said a company representative.

The district only investigates vehicles if someone is visibly under the influence or a report is made, Avants said.

And, she added, it handles student discipline on an individual basis.