Ohio school reverses course after 90,000 sign petition

Michael Whitney
Deputy Campaign Director
www.Change.org

Officials with the Carrollton Exempted Village School District relented after a nationwide outcry yesterday, reversing their decision to prevent Carrollton High School senior Austin Fisher from walking at his class's graduation in May.

Fisher, a student athlete with good grades who cared for his mother during her treatments for terminal breast cancer, missed two more days of class than permitted by school policy and had been told he would not be walking because of these absences.

More than 90,000 people signed a petition on Change.org started by Carrollton High School alumnus Tammy White in support of Fisher. Following intense public pressure, school superintendent Palmer Folger met with the Fisher family on Monday and informed them that Austin would be allowed to walk at graduation.

"The support has been amazing for Austin Fisher," said Tammy White, who created the petition. "We were all a part of making sure that Austin Fisher will walk at graduation. It's been a wonderful day for all of us who helped Austin. Together, we can accomplish great things."

White launched her campaign on Change.org, the world’s fastest-growing platform for social change.

“Austin’s story caught the attention of not just one school district in Ohio, but of students, parents and school staff across the country,” said Michael Whitney, Deputy Campaigns Director at Change.org. “By joining Tammy’s campaign, more than 90,000 people spoke out for Austin and every other young person balancing school and at-home care of a family member. With Change.org, anyone, anywhere can do what Tammy did.”