Diploma Denied To Student Who Bowed, Blew Kiss To Family

[Philosophia]

Diploma Denied To Student Who Bowed, Blew Kiss To Family

STANDISH, Maine -- Justin Denney's family watched on as he ascended the Cumberland County Civic Center stage during graduation Friday night to accept his diploma, but the superintendent told him to return to his seat.

The Bonny Eagle High School senior's mother wants an apology, and her son wants his diploma, News 8's Will Lewis exclusively reported Monday night.

"It's all I can think of now," Justin Denney said. "Why did that happen. What just happened?"

From here (http://www.wmtw.com/education/19763059/detail.html)

[WynterWynd]

Thats a load of horse hockey :meanhead:
Blowing a kiss and pointing to your family isn't causing a disruption.
They're graduates for flip sake! They're happy!
I hope she gets her apology and that superintendent has to hand that boy is diploma.

[WulfcwenStar]

So showing emotion and that you are happy and proud is not permited!!!!! What are they thinking! This is so silly it is beyond belief, the superintendant needs a good talking to if he thinks bowing and blowing a kiss is dispruptive. Now if the person and jumped up and down and was whooping you could say they were bing disruptive but blowing a kiss is not.
I hope they get this sorted out and some common sense brought in.

[)O( ~ Khara~ )O(]

WOW! I can't believe how crappy the attitude was. I can sort of understand the no beach balls thing, but then again, it's graduation. These kids deserve a little fun and who are they hurting.

Someone needs to tell that superintendent to get the stick out of her ass....

I would go ballistic if they did that to one of my kids.

When I graduated, one of my classmates mooned the entire football field and had THANX MOM & DAD 4 MY EDUKASHUN on a pair of beige boxers on over his suit pants. He waited until he had his diploma in hand though, but everyone just laughed.

[Caitlin.ann]

Wow!

[AutumnWitchie]

Whether the young man was given his diploma or not, it is still his as he earned it by having the grades to graduate. I personally thought the whole graduation experience was overrated when I graduated but I did the walk across stage for my mother. Our principal threatened us with not getting our diplomas if we tossed our caps in the air as soon as we got out the door. No one listened. I told the principal I didn't care if he gave me the actual diploma or not so long as the school sent out my transcripts when requested. Lots of principals withhold diplomas for stupid reasons as a "leason" about students "bad behavior". I've always seen it as a last ditch effort at control. It's not the diploma itself that is key. It's the transcripts that show you graduated that are important. This is rather crass on the part of the school officals and does nothing but make them look bad.

[Nuadu]

It is crappy for the kid and for the other kids but I think its not unjustifiable. Irrespective of ceremony the kid graduated. So he didnt meet the agreed upon standards and didnt get to participate. Big deal. The irreverent attitude of the students illustrates that noone gave a crap about the ceremony anyway. And who are this kids parents that this is an international story? The quotes from them make them seem almost illiterate

They were all asked to sign their names and agree to a certain code of behavior which wasnt met on the night. The kid messed around after people had been taken off stage by police and had been thrown out!. If he didnt know what he was doing would cause trouble he's an idiot or he is playing innocent to get his way. Either way he deserved to be excluded from the schools graduation ceremony in my opinion because it was a formal occasion and he was deliberately informal.

[aluokaloo]

wow these people must have a stick up their ass the size of a redwood tree! I could understand them getting PO'd if the kid had pulled the penis stunt (which is still pretty funny) but he didn't even do anything wrong. Gods forbid you be excited and proud of yourself for an accomplishment.

[WitchJezebel]

wow these people must have a stick up their ass the size of a redwood tree!

That's the FIRST thing I thought when I read the article. Unbelievable.

[banondraig]

wow these people must have a stick up their ass the size of a redwood tree!

:2G:

Has anyone seen Sequoia lately?

[Dio]

That sucks. :( And yet, all I can think is, "Welcome to the real world, kid". He got a good taste of it right off the bat. Welcome to the world of sticks up your ass. Sucks, and unfair, but it's something he's going to have to get used to in life.

[WynterWynd]

wow these people must have a stick up their ass the size of a redwood tree! I could understand them getting PO'd if the kid had pulled the penis stunt (which is still pretty funny) but he didn't even do anything wrong. Gods forbid you be excited and proud of yourself for an accomplishment.


:2G:

Has anyone seen Sequoia lately?

Are we talking old growth?:2G:

I was actually surprised we had no mooners or beach balls bouncing around.
Now what I could have done without, was the sh*t that brought the canned airhorn in....that was on the excessive side.

I still think yanking kids out with police/security is a bit much.
Yes, they graduated high school...but that doesn't make them a bunch of old farts either.
Jeez, its a celebration, not a funeral.

[banondraig]

Are we talking old growth?:2G:

I was actually surprised we had no mooners or beach balls bouncing around.
Now what I could have done without, was the sh*t that brought the canned airhorn in....that was on the excessive side.

I still think yanking kids out with police/security is a bit much.
Yes, they graduated high school...but that doesn't make them a bunch of old farts either.
Jeez, its a celebration, not a funeral.

:uhhuhuh:

I hate airhorns. The beachballs annoyed me, but I can tolerate them.

[WynterWynd]

I know I went home with a migraine from those stupid things....the beach balls would have been easier to take.

And our superintendent even told the kids to toss their hats in celebration.
I guess I just think its strange how some people have to turn whats supposed to be a happy day into a solemn occasion:dis:

[Lunacie]

I think those airhorns should be shoved where you're talking about having a sequoia shoved! Gave me a migraine as well.

Having a kid blow his family a kiss and point at them proudly for supporting him is not a big deal. In fact he wasn't even on stage yet when he did so.

The smart kids do wait until they have the diploma in hand (although usually it's an empty folder and the diploma is given later) before doing some grandstanding or pulling some stunt. He was either dumb or impatient.

[Sequoia]

:2G:

Has anyone seen Sequoia lately?

*skids into the thread* Did soooooommmebody call me?! :bumpsmili

((Oh, and on-topic... totally asinine. That kid shouldn't have had his experience ruined. Blowing a kiss to your mom isn't "misbehaving" or otherwise stirring up trouble.))

[aluokaloo]

Are we talking old growth?:2G:

I was actually surprised we had no mooners or beach balls bouncing around.
Now what I could have done without, was the sh*t that brought the canned airhorn in....that was on the excessive side.

I still think yanking kids out with police/security is a bit much.
Yes, they graduated high school...but that doesn't make them a bunch of old farts either.
Jeez, its a celebration, not a funeral.

airhorns are awful things, like to smack whoever invented them. and i agree, let the kids be proud of themselves people.

[Avalanche]

I never really understood why they had so many rules for graduation. Sure, there were a few kids who wanted a perfect graduation, but those were the types who already had sticks up their asses. Why not let the majority have fun and actually celebrate? Because no one wants to sit in the sun for several hours listening to people talk. I almost ditched my graduation, but my parents wanted to go and my brother and friends had some surprises for me.

I loved the delay they had at my name... my brother was shooting fireworks off from the top of the rocks and a friend was going to strip down to his underwear, jump on stage and give me a hug. There was too much security, so he was only able to take his pants off before they were on him. But I was laughing as I walked across the stage. And I thought they were uptight there. Guess they weren't really that bad. Especially because my gown was more of a cape. I ordered it about twelve sizes too big and a foot too long.

[of black birds]

I'm gonna sound stupid, but is it really needed? I graduated, obviously, but I never went to my graduation and I was never sent my diploma. It'd be pretty useless at this point. I got my job without it, and I'm enrolled in college and was never required a copy.

[WynterWynd]

I don't think you sound stupid.
Its a fact, a graduation is more for the parents and families...and maybe the one last chance the seniors get to see eachother and act like kids.
In reality all you need is your transcripts.
Except for my son (and anyone else) who joins the military right after graduation. The needed a copy of the diploma since there wasn't time to get his records between grad and boot camp.
At least thats how it was for him.

[Incendia]

Wow, such stinkin' asshatry! Poor kid!!! :o

[Valnorran]

Zero tolerance rules in action.

[Sitalique]

The fun and party is supposed to be after the graduation.
The ceremony itself is just for speeches and walking across the stage. Mainly a thing for the parents.
Once you've been handed your diploma they can't take it away, so the smart thing would've been to wait until it was in his hands and then just as he was walking off the stage do his thing.

I hated having to do the walk across the stage. I thought it was stupid and pointless, but did it for my parents.

[brymble]

Zero tolerance rules in action.

I have zero tolerance for "zero tolerance"!:razz:

[Corvis Canis Latrans]

I hated having to do the walk across the stage. I thought it was stupid and pointless, but did it for my parents.

I walked in high school, but only because we were required to. I didn't go to either of my college graduations, either for the BA or the MA. My parents didn't give a crap one way or the other, and I'd just as soon not deal with it.

As for this school, though,m I'd have to debate you, blowing a kiss to the parents should be acceptable, that is for the parents, that is a celebration of the parents, it shows respect for the parents. There's nothing disrespectful about blowing a kiss.

Also, is there any direct link to exactly what the words of those restrictions were? I find it hard to believe that they'd put something like that in there verbatim, and anything else is just interpretation by the contortionist with the constricted, dark, damp, and smelly view of the world.

[Lunacie]

I walked in high school, but only because we were required to. I didn't go to either of my college graduations, either for the BA or the MA. My parents didn't give a crap one way or the other, and I'd just as soon not deal with it.

As for this school, though,m I'd have to debate you, blowing a kiss to the parents should be acceptable, that is for the parents, that is a celebration of the parents, it shows respect for the parents. There's nothing disrespectful about blowing a kiss.

Also, is there any direct link to exactly what the words of those restrictions were? I find it hard to believe that they'd put something like that in there verbatim, and anything else is just interpretation by the contortionist with the constricted, dark, damp, and smelly view of the world.

It sure took some hunting but here's the agreement (http://www.sad6.k12.me.us/~ssimmons/Expectations.pdf), in my opinion it was much too broad and I don't believe Justin Denney violated the agreement.

[Corvis Canis Latrans]

It sure took some hunting but here's the agreement (http://www.sad6.k12.me.us/%7Essimmons/Expectations.pdf), in my opinion it was much too broad and I don't believe Justin Denney violated the agreement.

Agreed.

In my case, I'd be making a deliberate protest of the dress or skirt requirement....:uhhuhuh:

Other than that, on paper everything sounds reasonable, but in the case of this kid so vague as to be inapplicable.

[banondraig]

*skids into the thread* Did soooooommmebody call me?! :bumpsmili

((Oh, and on-topic... totally asinine. That kid shouldn't have had his experience ruined. Blowing a kiss to your mom isn't "misbehaving" or otherwise stirring up trouble.))

Glad you escaped, and agreed. :hahugh:

[kristadb]

Its a fact, a graduation is more for the parents and families...

Grads are for the family.
Weddings are for the family.
Funerals are for the family.

Basically, you're doing it for your family. It's in the contract you signed in the womb.

:toofless:

[Sitalique]

It sure took some hunting but here's the agreement (http://www.sad6.k12.me.us/~ssimmons/Expectations.pdf), in my opinion it was much too broad and I don't believe Justin Denney violated the agreement.

From reading that the only thing I can think of that got him in trouble would be that he pulled out his necklace.
Otherwise I see nothing there that mentions you can't take a bow or blow a kiss.

[Sitalique]

In my case, I'd be making a deliberate protest of the dress or skirt requirement....:uhhuhuh:

Hated that part too. Not only did I have to buy the cap and gown but also had to buy a new outfit since I didn't own any dresses or skirts at the time. Did sneak by with my boots though :toofless:

I think it's ridiculous that they still expect girls in dresses or skirts. As if there aren't women wearing dress suits these days...

[WynterWynd]

Grads are for the family.
Weddings are for the family.
Funerals are for the family.

Basically, you're doing it for your family. It's in the contract you signed in the womb.

:toofless:

That is so true!:uhhuhuh:


.....

Also, is there any direct link to exactly what the words of those restrictions were? I find it hard to believe that they'd put something like that in there verbatim, and anything else is just interpretation by the contortionist with the constricted, dark, damp, and smelly view of the world.

I wish I had kept my sons grad agreement, it was ridiculous!
Dark shirts only
Appropriate (dark) pants, no jeans or shorts
Appropriate footwear, no thongs, sneakers boots etc
Same for the girls, but they had to be in a dress/skirt and it couldn't be longer than the gown:eyebrow:
No sunglasses
No accessories on the robes
.....and on and on that stupid thing went....

and with the treat at the end that anyone NOT in proper attire would not be allowed to walk that day:meanhead:

ahhhhhh bullpucky!:razz:

[*~Amora~*]

Rhe. How overbearing is that!

[Shawn Blackwolf]

OMG...what did you do with your sons ?!

You did not keep them ?

Did they graduate , and get their diploma ?

...ROTFLMAO...:smileroll...ahem...now , back to OP...

This on topic event is pure yak manure...

I would have yelled out...

"If I can not blow a kiss , you can kiss my ass"...:bigredgri

Screw the diploma...that would have made my four
years worth it...shaft the principal on stage...:thumbsup:




I wish I had kept my sons, it was ridiculous!

[WynterWynd]

:rotfl: OK smartass! Ya got me with that one! :P

[*~Amora~*]

I believe in ceremonies, even if they aren't spiritual. They mark a transformation. And I think a certain level of respect is required in order to really "be in the moment".

However, bowing and blowing a kiss seems appropriate to me. It sounds like the superintendent was annoyed about the beach-balls and then he/she was exacerbated by the next person acting "out of line" - so she/he reacted too strictly. I can see how it happened, but I don't agree with the result.

[Lunacie]

I believe in ceremonies, even if they aren't spiritual. They mark a transformation. And I think a certain level of respect is required in order to really "be in the moment".

However, bowing and blowing a kiss seems appropriate to me. It sounds like the superintendent was annoyed about the beach-balls and then his/her was exacerbated by the next person acting "out of line" - so she/he reacted too strictly. I can see how it happened, but I don't agree with the result.

Yeah, I suspect timing had a large part in this. If the next few grads had walked quietly across the stage and then this kid had showed off a little bit (understandable I think) she probably wouldn't have said anything. I'll bet ya that he was the first or second to cross after she yelled about the beach balls or saw the guards take one away.