A principal refused to give a diploma to a student who danced during the graduation ceremony, causing controversy and sparking debates on social media.
A high school graduate was denied her diploma for dancing on stage
In a controversial incident that has sparked outrage, a high school graduate in Philadelphia was denied her diploma on stage after dancing during her graduation ceremony.
Hafsah Abdur-Rahman graduated from the Philadelphia High School for Girls in Pennsylvania in June 2023.
As she walked across the stage to receive her diploma, Hafsah couldn’t contain her excitement and broke out into a celebratory dance.
However, when Hafsah approached the principal to collect her diploma, she was denied the award.
The school prohibits students from cheering or clapping during the ceremony.
The principal cited the school’s policy prohibiting students from cheering or clapping during the ceremony.
According to Hafsah, the principal claimed her dancing had disrupted the event and violated these rules.
“I understood the rules because I was saying ‘shh’ in the video. Do not say nothing because I want my diploma,” Hafsah recalled.
“If they thought that I shouldn’t do ‘The Griddy’ [dance move] across the stage and do the Girls’ High traditions, nobody should have been able to wave or blow kisses or do period signs because I feel like that’s the same thing.”
Hafsah felt the principal’s decision was deeply unfair.
She argued that other students’ expressions of joy during the ceremony were allowed, while her harmless dancing was singled out.
“She [the principal] stole that moment from me. I will never get that again,” Hafsah lamented.
The incident left Hafsah feeling ‘so embarrassed’ that she ‘couldn’t even enjoy the rest of the graduation.’
The high school graduate’s mother responds on the matter
Her mother, Jasmine Reid, echoed her daughter’s sentiments.
In a video, she stated that the school’s policies need to be revised to accommodate students’ natural excitement and celebration during this milestone event.
“It’s 2023, a lot has happened. These girls went through Covid together.
Our kids are not even living up to see high school,” Reid said.
“I understand traditions and rules are set in place for a reason, and we’re not saying they should be broken, but it might need to be revised also.”
The school’s response
The School District of Philadelphia said sorry for what happened.
They said the district does not agree with keeping diplomas from students because of family members cheering.
The district acknowledged the need to avoid such situations in the future and indicated they would be looking into the matter further.
After what happened, the assistant superintendent called Hafsah and her mother to say sorry and talk about it.
However, the family thinks more should be done to change the school’s rules.
They want to make sure students can celebrate their achievements without being punished.
Social media reaction
The viral video of Hafsah being denied her diploma has generated significant attention and sparked a wider discussion on social media.
What did she do wrong? I didn’t see anything wrong with dancing a little, one user said.’
So all those years for nothing because a little Celebration? at a moment worth of Celebration? The second user commented.
They were all told the rules! When you break the rules in any aspect of live. There are consequences! What did she expect? The third user said.
In South Africa graduates are encouraged to chant,dance and kinds of signs of happynes during the ceremony, another wrote.