By Tiana Torrilhon-Wood.
My family and I attended the Stellar Student award ceremony in honor of my child’s accomplishments. What should have been a routine and celebratory evening was deeply overshadowed by the tone and content of remarks made by members of the town council.
Instead of focusing on the students and their achievements or on town business and activities, the open remarks included graphic descriptions of the recent murder of Charlie Kirk, demonization of political groups and sermonizing about religion and ideology. These statements were angry, divisive and completely inappropriate for a ceremony where young children were present.
In addition, my autistic son was physically touched and pressured by an audience member to force him to stand during a prayer. No child should be subject to physical coercion at a public event, nor physically forced to participate in religious rituals. I can’t help but feel that the rhetoric of the town council encourages such behavior.
As a parent, I left the event feeling unsafe and profoundly uncomfortable. The political and religious tone taken by elected officials was not only irrelevant to town business, it undermined the inclusive and respectful environment that all Fountain Hills families should be able to expect at civic celebrations.
I urge the town council and mayor to reflect on the responsibility of public officials to foster unity, respect and safety at community events — especially those honoring children. The use of these occasions to advance partisan, religious or divisive agendas is harmful and unacceptable. To describe violent events in graphic detail in front of children and then just leave us as parents to explain this to them is beyond egregious.
My hope is that future events can return to their intended purpose: celebrating the achievements of our children in a manner that is supportive, welcoming and safe.
