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http://www.wmtw.com/education/19763059/detail.html 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.
A High School graduation is a day to celebrate, not be denied a diplomia for taking a bow and blowing a kiss to your family as you walk across the stage. What is this world coming to?
She stole his once-in-a-lifetime dream of graduating high school with pride and honor and she squashed it and left him feeling humiliated in front of the entire high school."
I suspect that expectations for conduct at the ceremony were discussed at length before the event. If that's the case, then he has nobody to blame but himself. Actions have consequences, and he's learning that lesson the hard way.
I suspect that expectations for conduct at the ceremony were discussed at length before the event. If that's the case, then he has nobody to blame but himself. Actions have consequences, and he's learning that lesson the hard way.
Sorry, I disagree. Whenever there is a case of rules versus discretion, context, flexibility, and a mature perspective are all required. Arbitrary lines drawn in the sand are technically the governing rules/laws, however when to enforce must be done with good judgment and the required elements discussed above.
This is one step closer to Big Brother and a country of automons and lemmings. No thanks. Freedom brings responsibility not mindless application. The Consitutional framers though as much and would be appalled by this case.
Let this principal go back to counting beans, where her unbelievable lack of discretion need not be a liability.
Expectations of appropriate conduct aren't anything new. I graduated nearly 25 years ago, and my high school also prohibited any theatrics. Somehow, my classmates and I managed to restrain ourselves. I'm all in favor of exercising a mature perspective, and I find many zero-tolerance policies excessive; however, I should hope a soon-to-be graduate has the self control necessary to abide by the rules for a couple of hours. If he can't, I fear for his future.
Since you brought up the framers of our Constitution and what they might think of this situation, please allow me to direct you to this link of George Washington's Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation. As you'll most certainly recall, Washington was the first signer of our Constitution.
I submit the following selections in particular for your consideration and humbly ask if you truly believe that our esteemed first President would agree that the student in question behaved with suitable decorum. Given Washington's perspective as demonstrated in these writings, I suspect he would sympathize with the administration.
Quote:
1. Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.
19. Let your Countenance be pleasant but in Serious Matters Somewhat grave.
20. The Gestures of the Body must be Suited to the discourse you are upon.
47. Mock not nor Jest at any thing of Importance break [n]o Jest that are Sharp Biting and if you Deliver any thing witty and Pleasant abstain from Laughing thereat yourself.
Last edited by formercalifornian; 06-19-2009 at 04:16 PM..
One, were the rules clear or open to interpretation? For example, if the rule was no fooling around on stage, then that is open to interpretation, and the student could have justifiably thought his action were appropriate.
The second issue to me however is how they handled it. Even if the student clearly broke a rule, I do not think they needed to humiliate him in public like that (compliment in public, criticize in private). They could have let him finish, and if it looked like others were starting to follow suit, they could have just reminded the group of the rules.
Teen Denied Diploma Tells Story - Education News Story - WMTW Portland 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.
A High School graduation is a day to celebrate, not be denied a diplomia for taking a bow and blowing a kiss to your family as you walk across the stage. What is this world coming to?
That is pretty ignorant. I'm thinking they need a new superintendent.
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