Fury as school district REMOVES girl's name from graduation book after she died of cancer weeks earlier despite completing all requirements: Bosses refuse to let siblings attend ceremony

A Utah school has sparked fury after removing the name of a student who died of cancer just months before graduation - despite completing all requirements.

Samantha Corey, who was battling a rare and terminal form of the disease, passed away before she could finish her senior year at American Fork High School.

As Samantha's siblings prepared to stand in her place, they were told by the district they wouldn't be permitted. Her name was also omitted from the ceremony. 

The Alpine School District in Utah has sparked criticism after they removed the name of Samantha Corey (pictured), a student who died of cancer just months before graduation from the ceremony, despite completing all requirements

As Samantha's siblings prepared to stand in her place and accept her diploma, they were informed by the district that their participation wouldn't be permitted. Additionally, Samantha's name would be omitted from the ceremony

'It wasn't like we were wanting special treatment for her,' Kimberly Corey, Samantha's mother, said to FOX13. 'I just think we didn't want her to be deleted out of it, so it felt like, this is how it was supposed to be, and then they deleted her name and took it.' 

Samantha's family was distraught hearing the news, specially because Samantha had completed all of her graduation requirements before her death. 

'We just would have liked to have her name be read, and her siblings wanted to walk across the stage for her. Her brother wanted to wear her hat,' Kimberly Corey said to KUTV. 'We weren't expecting a big to-do; we just don't want her to be deleted, you know.'

Samantha's journey with cancer began during her sophomore year, but she was determined to continue her education at American Fork High School during chemotherapy treatments. 

'When you're a terminal cancer patient, you know that's not a priority,' Kimberly Corey said to KUTV. 'She wanted to be in school as much as she could, and this high school has been so good to her.' 

'She was such a light,' she said. 'When we were looking at a timeline with her lifespan, our goal with her medical team was to be able to get her healthy enough to be able to last as long as graduation. She was just three months short.'

Samantha Corey with family. Corey died in Jan 2024 before graduating from American Fork High School in Utah

Samantha's journey with cancer began during her sophomore year, but she was determined to continue her education at American Fork High School during chemotherapy treatments

Samantha died in January 2024

Samantha died in January 2024 at 18-years-old. 

'There was always a, 'Do you want to keep doing treatment?' She always said, 'Yes, I do,' Corey said to FOX13. 'I want to fight more, more and more.'

'We always just kind of hoped, and she just really wanted to finish out high school,' said Corey. 'It was kind of important to her.'

Rich Stowell, of the Alpine School District, issued a statement explaining their stance on graduation memorials, emphasizing a balance between honoring the deceased and celebrating the achievements of all graduates.

'As students across Alpine School District celebrate graduation from high school, we are mindful that some students tragically pass before they and their families get to experience that milestone.

Samantha Corey, who was battling a rare and terminal form of cancer, tragically died before she could finish her senior year at American Fork High School (pictured with friends in school)

Rich Stowell, of the Alpine School District, explained their stance on graduation memorials, emphasizing a balance between honoring the deceased and celebrating the achievements of all graduates (Samantha pictured with Football players in school)

Samantha's family was distraught hearing the news, specially because Samantha had completed all of her graduation requirements before her death (Samantha with her siblings)

'Plans for graduation ceremonies are guided by district policy. Decisions about specific plans reflect our sincere desire to appropriately balance the need to remember those who have passed and the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishment of all graduates.' 

'We realize that not allowing for certain types of memorials during graduation ceremonies may cause additional pain for those closest to students who have passed,' he continued. 

'Our school administrators have the difficult responsibility of leading with compassion and empathy to help their school community process loss within the guidelines of policy.'

'Our hearts go out to the family of any student who passes away and recognize that a student death impacts our entire school community in complex ways. As we celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating students this Spring, we are also reminded of the significance of each life.'