Ill. Students Lose Diplomas Over Cheers. (lawyers, solution, high school, education)

[John1960]

Don't Get Too Excited: Graduation Cheering Ban Means No Diploma for 5 Students in Illinois.

Caisha Gayles graduated with honors last month, but she is still waiting for her diploma. The reason: the whoops of joy from the audience as she crossed the stage.

Gayles was one of five students denied diplomas from the lone public high school in Galesburg after enthusiastic friends or family members cheered for them during commencement.

ABC News: Ill. Students Lose Diplomas Over Cheers

[$how Me $tate Bred]

That whole situation is bull****. At the moment I live about 30 minutes from Galesburg since I attend a 4 year college near there in Iowa and I don't see anything wrong with cheering for a loved one who is graduating. Especially in these days and times where a lot of teenagers is dropping out of school and engaging in other activities. I think if they had a problem with people cheering "excessively" they should have asked those people to leave instead of taking it out on the students since the student cannot control the actions of others and accept a diploma its impossible.

[chele123]

I'm just dumbfounded.
On the one hand I can see that excessive cheering was disruptive.
On the other hand I can't imagine penalizing the students for the actions of others.
I don't have a solution to offer, but I sure don't agree with the way they have handled this situation.

[doc1]

You heartless bast***s just don't get it do you? How would you feel if you had a small cheering section and the person after you had a real big one?

We're talking about years of therapy here just to recover one's self esteem.

[crashcop]

Punished for the actions of others? Fine example of American education, and all were minority students? Thats why we have lawyers and courts...

[deerislesmile]

Originally Posted by doc1

You heartless bast***s just don't get it do you? How would you feel if you had a small cheering section and the person after you had a real big one?

We're talking about years of therapy here just to recover one's self esteem.

How can the graduates be held responsible for the actions of others?

If the kids earned the diploma, they should get the diploma. All of the credits and scores are in, and they earned the diploma. The school should not have the right do withhold the diploma AFTER is has been earned- it's like withholding the last paycheck of an employee because they quit or because you don't approve of something they did. I am so not an advocate for silly lawsuits, but in this case, I hope one happens.

[doc1]

Originally Posted by deerislesmile

How can the graduates be held responsible for the actions of others?

If the kids earned the diploma, they should get the diploma. All of the credits and scores are in, and they earned the diploma. The school should not have the right do withhold the diploma AFTER is has been earned- it's like withholding the last paycheck of an employee because they quit or because you don't approve of something they did. I am so not an advocate for silly lawsuits, but in this case, I hope one happens.

Unless I missed your point, you may have missed mine. I was attempting to take a sarcastic jab at all of the stupid "rules" that seem to be cropping up like weeds in this day and age.

[deerislesmile]

Sorry- that was an eyeroll in agreement, not a jab at you/what you said...

I must refrain from improperly using those darn smileys.....

[Kereczr]

Why the HELL would you punish the CHILDREN who did NOTHING wrong? With this asinine policy in place someone who doesn't like you could EASILY get you in trouble. With morons like this running our schools is it any wonder that our children are getting such poor educations.

[M TYPE X]

Welcome to the plains! Sit down, shut up, and watch the kern grow.
Love that kern! Sun and kern.

... strangely enough, if the entire state would do this, they would be more productive than the sum total of every high school graduate from Ohio, home of "we don't need no edjumacation." Pink Floyd was on to something.

If Illinois' unions were even stronger, you would have a lot more people sitting around watching the kern grow. They'd be better paid for it, too.

Oh, oh, another joke. Q: How do you teach civics in the Midwest? A: You lead the horse to water!