Illinois Students Receive Diplomas After Being Denied Because of Cheering
The students were denied diplomas at a May 27 ceremony at Galesburg High School because of a new 'no noise' policy to restore control at ceremonies.
Galesburg official still supported their policy but because the case was gaining national attention, the students were handed their diplomas Wednesday afternoon. The school board felt the punishment was unfair.
Galesburg officials had requested the families apologize for cheering. None of them apologized, saying they were not he ones who made the noise and had wished for the noisemakers to be identified. The administration said that would be impossible since any of the 2,000 members could be responsible.
On NWITimes.com, school Superintendent Gene Densar commented, "It is time for the community, the school district, the family of the students involved to move on. I have decided to grant the students involved their diplomas." No further comments were made.
The policy has caused controversy because it puts students at risk for situations out of their control. The tough policy was made in 2005 after cowbells and hollering kept parents from hearing their kid's name being called. Parents signed a document prior to graduation in May warning them students may not get diplomas if the rules are violated.
Peoria lawyer Jeff Green represented the students free of charge after hearing about the case on June1. He sent a letter to officials requesting an apology and the diplomas to be handed over by Wednesday. "In today's society, we have so many people not even graduating from high school," he said on PJStar.com.
The families felt the students were targeted because of race though the school denied the decision had anything to do with race.
White students were cheered as they walked across the stage but still got their diplomas. Two of the students, Monique Williams and Dayvon Lampkin, were denied because the families were too noisy. Nadia Trent said it would made a difference if she had gotten an apology. Pamela Kelly, mother of student Amanda Kelly, agreed. The principal could have shaken their hands and offered apologies. The diplomas were handed out to students by the high school secretary. Trent plans to consult an attorney about obtaining an apology.
Families are just glad the ordeal is over and wondered what took officials so long to do what was right. The students had tremendous support from the community. A resident had even offered to throw another graduation party. "A little common sense goes a long way. While they have their diplomas now; they can't get that day back. They can't get their party back," Green said in the Chicago Tribune.
Sources:
"Students To Receive Diplomas Originally Denied Over Graduation Cheers"
http://nwitimes.com/articles/2007/06/06/ap-state-il/d8pjhmeo0.txt
"Attorney Seeking Apology, Diplomas"
http://www.pjstar.com/stories/060607/REG_BDE2IV2B.033.php
"Galesburg schools relent, give five students diplomas"
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-galesburg_webjun07,1,6928718.story?coll=chi-news-hed
"Students Receive Denied Diplomas"
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/06/ap/national/main2895809.shtml
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1 Comments
Post a CommentOkay, they deny the diploma because the family is allegedly noisy. The family denies it and says others were responsible and they want those people punished, but the administration says they have no way of telling who it was that was noisy? They should be run up their own flagpole. What is with schools today?