Public Ridicule Proves Louder Than The Relatives Of Gradautes Denied Diplomas

[DeSwiss]

Galesburg Graduates to Receive Diplomas

WQAD News
Posted: 6/6/2007 3:35pm

The Galesburg Superintendent has decided to award the four graduates of the 2007 class their diplomas. The district had originally denied the diplomas after they were cheered for during the graduation ceremony.

The students and parents had signed a contract with the district for "proper behavior" at the ceremony. (emphasis added) In today's announcement, Superintendent Gene Denisar said "It is time for the good of the Community, the School District, the families and the students involved to move on.

The members of the Class of 2007 behaved appropriately, unfortunately some of the audience did not, which caused the disruptions at this year's graduation ceremony. I have decided to grant to the students involved their diplomas."

http://www.wqad.com/Global/story.asp?S=6619353

*** - {Please read the following comments with soft, funereal organ music playing in the background. A Wilitzer or Hammond if you have it....}


"As you know, high school graduation is a very, very solemn occassion. It is a time for reflection, quiet and solitude. And it is also the last time when teachers and principals get to tell their students to shut up. Right before they become legal citizens and voters, with the rights of free speech and expression. An expression which I'm sure they will demonstrate at the polls, as they turndown all future school funding requests for higher school superintendent salaries....."

[HardWorkingDem]

1. This behavior kind of irks me...

Now, I do believe the withholding of the diplomas was a bit drastic, but the behavior of those in the crowd does sort of irk me. How would they feel if the screaming of some other people drowned out the reading of their childs' name?

[dddem]

7. I don't disagree with you, but consider this.

One of the students who was denied her diploma commented that it could just as easily have been someone who didn't like her, and was trying to get her in trouble, as someone in her family who was disruptive. Her point was that she had no control over behavior from people in the crowd.
I originally had the same thought as you, until that point was made.
Peace.

[Reverend_Smitty]

2. I don't see how they could withold the diplomas in the first place...

the students completed their coursework and presumably passed all graduation requirements and somehow the school district saw to it that they would not get a diploma based on the actions of others. It's utterly insane!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

3. Let me tell you about law school.

They gave us a fake diploma at graduation. We had to turn in our cap and gown before we could go to the registrar's office and get our official Doctor of Jurisprudence diplomas. They were serious about getting those caps and gowns and stoles back.

[Silver Gaia]

6. Ha! We got fake diplomas in the ceremony, too, but we had to

buy our own caps and gowns and the rest of the regalia.

[dsc]

4. schools can withhold diplomas

what they can't do is withhold transcripts. The diploma is considered a frill and not a necessity.

[Silver Gaia]

5. They did officially graduate, but they weren't going to give them

the actual piece of paper they earned to prove it: the diploma.

There's more about it here: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/4868016.html

This is one of the most ridiculous things I think I've ever heard.

I recently went through a college graduation ceremony, and I've gotta say, without all the hootin' and hollerin' going on in the audience, it would've been pretty dull and boring.

What a bunch of sticks in the mud these people are! Let the kids and their families and friends ENJOY the ceremony!

[malaise]

8. That simple

but the thread od law suits can work wonders with these authoritarians.