7 busted after cheers erupt at S.C. graduations

[charlie and algernon]

"It's an effort to reduce disruptions, but for some, it's 'like a funeral in there'

COLUMBIA, S.C. - When Rock Hill school officials tell commencement crowds to hold their applause until the end, they mean it — police arrested seven people after they were accused of loud cheering during the ceremonies.

Six people at Fort Mill High School's graduation were charged Saturday and a seventh at the graduation for York Comprehensive High School was charged Friday with disorderly conduct, authorities said. Police said the seven yelled after students' names were called.

"I just thought they were going to escort me out," Jonathan Orr told The Herald of Rock Hill, about 70 miles north of Columbia. "I had no idea they were going to put handcuffs on me and take me to jail."

Snip

"All the cases, except for one that includes a resisting arrest charge, will be handled in city court and are punishable by a maximum of 30 days in jail and a $1,000 fine."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25083792/?GT1=43001




What utter bullshit. I understand not wanting people to cheer and clap so that you can't hear the next kid's name or to reduce the length of the ceremony, but to fucking arrest them?! Hell, at my brother's HS graduation in PA, they told everyone not to cheer, but they didn't arrest or do ANYTHING to the people who still did.

[ThatsMyBarack]

1. United POLICE States of America

:grr:

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. I can't wait for another 8 year republican reign

They'll finally be able to make troublemakers just disappear, so we never hear about them in the media, and America will look like a pristine, crime-free nirvana.

[Carnea]

3. Half of me thinks this is racist.

You know the "them colored folk make so much noise it's an embarrassment" meme.

But the other half thinks this is a PC Self esteem issue. "none of the children should be cheered so nobody feels bad" Meme.

Can somebody tell me who to be outraged at.

[Connonym]

4. I always assumed they asked to hold the applause to save time

I was at my daughter's 6th grade "graduation" this week and only a handful of people ignored the request to hold applause. Arresting them is certainly over the top but part of me thinks they kind of deserve it. I don't see it as a self-esteem thing, I see an ego thing on the people who ignore the rules as if they are exempt. What kind of example is that to show your kid? I don't like being told what to do either but sometimes you need to show some restraint and control yourself. It's part of being civilized. I think the selfish sense of self-entitlement that the rules don't apply to some people is why our country is so fucked up right now. Too many (especially republicans) think they're entitled to more than everyone else.

[Oeditpus Rex]

5. Ruh-roh!

:popcorn:

[Phentex]

7. We had a teacher scold the audience once...

in a friendly way. They had asked that parents hold their applause in order to save time. Some of the parent "seals" kept clapping in between anyway. Another teacher stepped up to the mike and said, "We've asked your children to follow directions all year long. Please do the same today by not clapping until the end. Thank you."

Done.

[DS1]

6. Teens should consider themselves lucky to be let out of their cages for a day

[hedgehog]

8. In recent years, it seems some have made it a point of honor to be

more and more raucous at graduations. I've seen it at both the high school and college levels. It's a culture clash with classist overtones. I'd just as soon see things toned down, but arresting people?

[charlie and algernon]

9. i have no problem with audiences being told to hold their applause and cheers

but arresting those that do clap or cheer is a bit excessive. People still cheered at my brother's graduation, but it never got to the point of distracting from the ceremony and I certianly didn't see any move to arrest anyone.

[Sequoia]

10. I went to the 8th grade graduation since my daughter was in the band

and when the names of the kids were read you'd think they were running for president the way the crowd cheered, some with air horns. I was glad they were able to do that and felt bad for schools who don't allow it. This is really stupid..arresting people for cheering.

[LeftyMom]

11. It's the kids' day, they deserve a little applause

and if the school's so big there isn't time to clap for every graduate, it's just TOO DAMN BIG.

[LeftinOH]

12. The cheering & shouting is the final act in the years-long popularity contest

that is high school (occasionally jr high or college). The popular and/or good-looking kids get the cheers and the shout-outs.. while the not-so-popular ones get chilling silence, or worse: barely concealed chortles and guffaws. I've seen plenty of these ceremonies -and apart from proud relatives who can barely conceal their happiness- there is always this final element of one-upmanship in the atmosphere that pervades the occasion. Its pretty difficult to ask adolescents to STFU at a pivotal moment in their lives (not pivotal in the long-run.. but for them, it is).. but official requests for everyone to remain silent and respectful are a good idea.