Posted on 06/16/2009 6:26:58 PM PDT by Artemis Webb
For teens, there is no greater joy than graduating high school. Shaking off the shackles of education and claiming that hard-fought diploma is truly an epic day. Unfortunately, for several students at Bonny Eagle High School in Maine, their natural exuberance has led to some surprisingly serious problems.
On Friday night, when the senior class was waiting to graduate, excitement began to grow. Students bounced a large inflatable rubber duck. The noise level rose. And then came "the kiss." When called, one student walked on stage to receive his diploma and blew a kiss to his family. The school administrator, clearly not the sentimental sort, sent the student back to his seat ... sans diploma.
The seemingly harsh punishment has sent the Web all aflutter. Searches on "student denied diploma" and "bonny eagle high school" are both through the roof. Additionally, blogs and news papers are chiming in with opinions on whether or not the administration overreacted. The student's mother has given interviews and is quite upset at her son's treatment. According to an article from Fox News the outraged mother said, "A bow, a kiss to your mom is not misbehavior."
But the administrators feel they were just enforcing the rules that students agreed to. At a meeting following the debacle, school superintendent Suzanne Lukas said that "if a student doesn't adhere to the expectations, then the consequences are clearly spelled out."
(Excerpt) Read more at buzz.yahoo.com ...
Last year I attended my Goddaughter’s graduation from a Catholic High School in Miami. I was stunned at the lack of decorum - the most of them acted like unruly animals (parents included). Profanity, vulgar behavior, and the horrendously loud blasting of airhorns in the auditorium was tolerated equally by parents and staff. Seems after the event would have been an appropriate time to whoop it up...
If that had been the case, not only would the two graduates have been given their diplomas, they would have been showcased on "Good Morning America" and invited to the White House to meet the emperor and empress.
Do it!
And if you need any help, PM me.
My 11 year old is about to start 9th grade
My 9 year old is in 7th.
We use Switched on Schoolhouse.
Thanks for the tip on High School!
If this were a private school, this would not be in the news. Why? Because the parents freely chose the school and agree to the terms. If the private school insists on dignified and orderly commencement ceremonies, and the family knows the consequences, then too bad for the kiss blowing kid.
Ah! But...With government schools the children at there by compulsion ( Armed police, court, and foster care action.) That is why there is a conflict. The government is punishing this young man for exercising his free speech.
Oh, good grief. When I graduated one of the girls got her diploma turned her back to the crowd so those of us in the stands waiting to get our diploma could see her, well, she opened her gown and she was stitch start naked. Closed he gown and went and sat down. My gosh we went wild with laughter and clapping.
Blowing a kiss to your mom and dad, what the hell is wrong with these people?
I may have gotten arrested for it, but if I were the student, I’d have belted that two-bit school “administrator” beotch right in the mouth; right then.
ping
ping
For 15 generations we were there. What has happened to my State?
You mean ALL of Rhode Island is like this?
Best post of the day.
Cut-throat lawyers are camped out in the front yard, licking their lips at the vision of a huge settlement from the school for the outrageous conduct of this petty bureaucrat.
I think that instead of caps and gowns, students should get their diplomas wearing black and white striped jumpsuits. It would be far more appropriate.
Thank you. Thank you. Please. Be seated.
(whew!)This is quite unexpected.
First, I'd like to thank my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, for gifting me with this incredible ability to post wise-cracks on a political website....
No kidding.....
I attended a homeschool graduation for 14-16 (I can’t remember the exact count) kids.
It was the most respectful, reverent, and focused ceremony I’ve attended since I graduated from USMC boot camp (seriously; not bragging, just mentioned for emphasis). Two of my neighbor’s kids graduated. There was silence where required, applause where necessary, and PRAYER throughout. Try looking for equivalent behavior in a public school graduation.
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