Joshua Alejandro Ortega, 16, beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, and friend was killed on February 27, 2013 while riding his bicycle home. He was a sophomore at Wagner High School at the time of his passing. Joshua loved school almost as much as he did his family. He was always eager to learn and was excited to graduate High School. His friends and family would describe Joshua as the life of the party. He always knew how to make anyones day whether you were his best friend or a complete stranger. He was smart and we knew that he would amount and succeed at anything he put his mind to, had he got the chance. Joshua looked forward to the day that he would cross the stage along with his Class of 2015. He couldnt wait to hear our family alongside him cheering him on. That was all taken away on February 27, 2013. Our family still thought his mother, Lorraine Garza, would be able to walk the stage for him and that brought her and us a sense of peace. However, on January 12, 2015, two years after Joshuas passing, that peace was taken away. Joshuas mother received a call from Principle Milton Fields of Wagner High School informing her that her son wouldnt be able to graduate because he wasnt a senior at the time of his passing. Joshua didnt choose for this to happen to him and was eager to graduate, had he had the choice. Now Wagner High School is stripping him from that. We as a family feel that it is only right for Joshuas name to be heard along with his mother crossing the stage for him with his classmates of 2015. Wagner may not want to graduate Joshua but if we can all become as ONE and have HIS voice be heard through us, maybe they will have a change of heart to graduate him. Graduation day would have been one of the happiest and proudest days of his and his mothers life. All we ask is that you take the time and please sign this petition. We want to thank you for taking your time out on behalf of Joshua and helping this dream of his come true.
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 21:22:59 +0000