Diploma denial angers GHS graduates

For Galesburg High School honor student Caisha Gayles, graduation is a triumph over obstacles.

[Mary Nevling]

Congratulations to Dr. Denisar. Why not tell the whole story about how the girls acted and went against the rules ?
My hat is off to him and the good work he has done for the school District !

[Amy B]

Dr. Gene Denisar??? Docotor of what???
I think Dr. CONTROL is more like it. I would clap and yell VERY VERY LOUD if it would get him fired. He does not seem to understand that it is very important to feel special and proud of yourself. So sad he has anything to do with education. I do understand that people get out of hand but get real.... BOO BOO BOO.. Oh yeah I just booed you and you had nothing to do with it community service for you !!!!

[John Atkinson]

I sent the letter below to the principal of the high school in questions, I think that it pretty much sums up my feelings on the matter!

I read an article today regarding the schools' decision to deny diplomas to students whose friends or family "cheered" for them at their graduation. The article and the decision left me speechless and wondering how those charged with the care of our children could make such an incredible blunder. The first thing that came to my mind was, "what were you thinking"? Graduating from high school is one of the proudest days in the lives of both parent and child. By denying the student their diploma at graduation, you have robbed them of one of the few memories that they may have carried into adulthood. And, you have robbed their parents of the same satisfaction. And for what? Because proud friends and family choose to express their elation publicly? I was able to watch video of the ceremony on a blog, and the cheers for those denied their diploma was mild! I wonder, as educated individuals, did those deeming your course of action appropriate ever think about the legal ramifications of such a decision? Take the following case, for example:

Brandenburg v. Ohio
This landmark case found that the US government could restrict free speech only if it was likely to incite imminent lawless action.

Maybe for next years graduation you can deny students their diplomas if their friends or family smile excessively. Nothing says "agression" like a smile!

As a member of the United States Army who has served my country faithfully for over 17 years, it angers me to think that some of the people I risk my life for are the same people that thought your decision was a good one. Today's teens face tremendous obstacles and those that are lucky enough to graduate should be HONORED by their school for their hard work and dedication, just as their friends and family were trying to do when they cheered.

John Atkinson
324th Military Police Company
Ohio Army National Guard

[THE LAST]

John Atkinson wrote:

I sent the letter below to the principal of the high school in questions, I think that it pretty much sums up my feelings on the matter!
I read an article today regarding the schools' decision to deny diplomas to students whose friends or family "cheered" for them at their graduation. The article and the decision left me speechless and wondering how those charged with the care of our children could make such an incredible blunder. The first thing that came to my mind was, "what were you thinking"? Graduating from high school is one of the proudest days in the lives of both parent and child. By denying the student their diploma at graduation, you have robbed them of one of the few memories that they may have carried into adulthood. And, you have robbed their parents of the same satisfaction. And for what? Because proud friends and family choose to express their elation publicly? I was able to watch video of the ceremony on a blog, and the cheers for those denied their diploma was mild! I wonder, as educated individuals, did those deeming your course of action appropriate ever think about the legal ramifications of such a decision? Take the following case, for example:
Brandenburg v. Ohio
This landmark case found that the US government could restrict free speech only if it was likely to incite imminent lawless action.
Maybe for next years graduation you can deny students their diplomas if their friends or family smile excessively. Nothing says "agression" like a smile!
As a member of the United States Army who has served my country faithfully for over 17 years, it angers me to think that some of the people I risk my life for are the same people that thought your decision was a good one. Today's teens face tremendous obstacles and those that are lucky enough to graduate should be HONORED by their school for their hard work and dedication, just as their friends and family were trying to do when they cheered.
John Atkinson
324th Military Police Company
Ohio Army National Guard

I salute you.

And I can't believe there are actually people that condone this kind of policy... This kind of thing is what you see in a Communist society.

[J Kowal]

I live in ohio and you cannot deny a person their Diploma if they do not owe any fees to the schools or district. They have to be given the diplomas if they have earned them. I don't believe taking someone to court is the answer but I believe this should be done in this case. Also I believe this administrator should be punished if not fired for denying a diploma. This idea of zero tolerance needs to go out the window. I believe we need zero tolerance by School admin who get paid to much and do to little work but make rules to make the lives of our young people more difficult.

[Deanna]

CHEERS to you!!! What an excellent letter!

John Atkinson wrote:

I sent the letter below to the principal of the high school in questions, I think that it pretty much sums up my feelings on the matter!
I read an article today regarding the schools' decision to deny diplomas to students whose friends or family "cheered" for them at their graduation. The article and the decision left me speechless and wondering how those charged with the care of our children could make such an incredible blunder. The first thing that came to my mind was, "what were you thinking"? Graduating from high school is one of the proudest days in the lives of both parent and child. By denying the student their diploma at graduation, you have robbed them of one of the few memories that they may have carried into adulthood. And, you have robbed their parents of the same satisfaction. And for what? Because proud friends and family choose to express their elation publicly? I was able to watch video of the ceremony on a blog, and the cheers for those denied their diploma was mild! I wonder, as educated individuals, did those deeming your course of action appropriate ever think about the legal ramifications of such a decision? Take the following case, for example:
Brandenburg v. Ohio
This landmark case found that the US government could restrict free speech only if it was likely to incite imminent lawless action.
Maybe for next years graduation you can deny students their diplomas if their friends or family smile excessively. Nothing says "agression" like a smile!
As a member of the United States Army who has served my country faithfully for over 17 years, it angers me to think that some of the people I risk my life for are the same people that thought your decision was a good one. Today's teens face tremendous obstacles and those that are lucky enough to graduate should be HONORED by their school for their hard work and dedication, just as their friends and family were trying to do when they cheered.
John Atkinson
324th Military Police Company
Ohio Army National Guard

[Deep South]

John Atkinson wrote:

I sent the letter below to the principal of the high school in questions, I think that it pretty much sums up my feelings on the matter!
I read an article today regarding the schools' decision to deny diplomas to students whose friends or family "cheered" for them at their graduation. The article and the decision left me speechless and wondering how those charged with the care of our children could make such an incredible blunder. The first thing that came to my mind was, "what were you thinking"? Graduating from high school is one of the proudest days in the lives of both parent and child. By denying the student their diploma at graduation, you have robbed them of one of the few memories that they may have carried into adulthood. And, you have robbed their parents of the same satisfaction. And for what? Because proud friends and family choose to express their elation publicly? I was able to watch video of the ceremony on a blog, and the cheers for those denied their diploma was mild! I wonder, as educated individuals, did those deeming your course of action appropriate ever think about the legal ramifications of such a decision? Take the following case, for example:
Brandenburg v. Ohio
This landmark case found that the US government could restrict free speech only if it was likely to incite imminent lawless action.
Maybe for next years graduation you can deny students their diplomas if their friends or family smile excessively. Nothing says "agression" like a smile!
As a member of the United States Army who has served my country faithfully for over 17 years, it angers me to think that some of the people I risk my life for are the same people that thought your decision was a good one. Today's teens face tremendous obstacles and those that are lucky enough to graduate should be HONORED by their school for their hard work and dedication, just as their friends and family were trying to do when they cheered.
John Atkinson
324th Military Police Company
Ohio Army National Guard

HOOAH
A former Military Policeman

[THE LAST]

The thing is, I'm NOT against Zero Tolerance. It's a necessary practice that needs to be used in major things, like when people bring weapons to school. But this was NOT a major enough incident on that caliber where action like that needed to be taken.

[AChicagoan]

Why couldn't they wait until after all the names were called to cheer? It's rude to drown out other students names being called. That's basic manners.

[TL Writer]

AChicagoan wrote:

Why couldn't they wait until after all the names were called to cheer? It's rude to drown out other students names being called. That's basic manners.

Well, in one hand, you're right. But the thing is they could have just waited a few seconds for the cheers to stop, rather than rushing through the graduation that these students worked their asses off for.

[TL Writer]

In the end, I don't believe that a little bit of cheering hurt anything other than the pride of the staff.

Personally, I wouldn't even WANT a diploma from that school if the staff pulled crap like that. It'd probably be worth more just to write the words,'I graduated' on a piece of paper.

[F Aurelius]

Amy B wrote:

Dr. Gene Denisar??? Docotor of what???
I think Dr. CONTROL is more like it. I would clap and yell VERY VERY LOUD if it would get him fired. He does not seem to understand that it is very important to feel special and proud of yourself. So sad he has anything to do with education. I do understand that people get out of hand but get real.... BOO BOO BOO.. Oh yeah I just booed you and you had nothing to do with it community service for you !!!!

Why don't we hear from someone that was THERE! I was in GHS's class of 2007. I signed the contract along with the rest of the 300 of us. I know the people who had their diplomas taken personally. I went to school with them for 4 years. It may sound unfair what happened. But that school is ans was nothing but chaos. The school did a right thing with the contracts. It gave order to the ceremony all of us were looking for.

F. Aurelius
Galesburg High School Class of 2007
Galesburg,IL