Milford School District Denies Request for Empty Chair Memorial at Graduation for Student Who Died by Suicide

MILFORD, OH — April 18, 2025 — The Milford School District has declined a request to place an empty chair at the upcoming graduation ceremony in honor of Caylee Mastin, a 15-year-old student who tragically died by suicide two years ago. The decision has sparked a debate over how schools should memorialize students lost to suicide and the balance between honoring their memory and maintaining a celebratory atmosphere.

A Mother’s Request

Julie Mastin, Caylee’s mother, proposed the idea of an empty chair to symbolize her daughter’s absence and to raise awareness about mental health issues. “It doesn’t matter how you died… you should be in this room,” Mastin said. “It doesn’t have to be all about you. It doesn’t have to put a damper on things, but just a reminder how precious life is.”

School District’s Response

The Milford School Board, after consulting with the National Center for School Crisis and Bereavement, determined that placing an empty chair would be considered a “permanent memorial” and could unintentionally glorify suicide. The board emphasized that it does not place empty chairs for any student, regardless of the cause of death, to ensure fairness and safety.

“We will not make different decisions depending on how a student passed away. We do not place empty chairs for any student because doing so selectively would be unfair and unsafe,” said Emily Mason, Milford School Board President.

Alternative Honors

In lieu of the empty chair, the district has offered to include Caylee’s name in the graduation program and read it aloud during the ceremony. Additionally, her family will receive an honorary diploma, cap, and tassel. The district has also provided grief counseling services and dedicated a soccer game to mental health awareness.

Community Reaction

The decision has elicited mixed reactions. A petition supporting the empty chair memorial has garnered over 6,000 signatures, with many community members expressing support for the gesture as a way to honor Caylee’s memory and address mental health issues. However, others support the school’s stance, agreeing that maintaining a consistent policy is important for fairness and safety.

Broader Implications

This situation highlights the ongoing challenges schools face in addressing mental health and suicide prevention. While the Milford School District has taken steps to provide support and raise awareness, the debate over how best to memorialize students lost to suicide continues to be a sensitive and complex issue.