Clay High School's last Student Body President will always remember her "second home"

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The Clay Colonials are still set to lose their “second home” at the end of this school year after a U.S District Court Judge denied the group, Save Clay’s, attempt to keep the high school open.

The group Save Clay took legal action, saying the termination would violate a 40-year-old racial desegregation agreement, and now the judge has denied their request to keep the school open for now.

"It’s sad because I know a lot of the people at Clay, whether alumni, teachers, or students… it’s their home,” said Clay's Student Body President Abby Demler.

As Clay High School’s final class president, she's disappointed, yet not surprised after months of feeling voiceless.

"As students, we’re typically ignored," said Delmer. "We're typically not heard by the adults, but now its evolving more than just homework. It's involving the closure of a school that shouldn’t be shutting down."

Save Clay attorney, Christian Matozzo says that despite the denial, the judge's orders are the first time throughout this process that they’ve felt heard, and the fight isn’t over yet.

"This isn’t over we are ready to take this fight to all levels of government and all areas and to make sure save clay is here to stay and we are ready to fight,” said Matozzo.

The judge re-affirmed a December 20 deadline for a final comprehensive transition plan for students affected by Clay closing.

Once that plan is announced, then the public can give input.

South Bend Community School Corporation says the announcement does not change how its handling things moving forward.

The decisions on new boundaries, feeders, and Clay High School all remain, and they say they will continue to inform families on their next options and steps.

"We know that making that transition in the middle of their high school career is certainly not easy to do and our goal is to make that as smooth as possible,” said Rafi Nolan-Abrahamian, chief of staff for SBCSC.

But, still Abby and the Save Clay group say they are not giving up hope, wearing a purple and gold bracelet as a reminder of her second home and the legacy it leaves behind.

"That will be on my wrist for the rest of my life because I will not forget this school and I know everyone else will not forget this school,” she said.

South Bend Community School Corporation will be holding a Clay Family information night on Tuesday, October 24 where they will talk next steps.