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Cancer survivor stunned by attention over graduation denial
WTOP News (Washington DC) ^ | 29 May 2016 | TERRY TANG

Posted on 05/30/2016 8:34:38 AM PDT by COBOL2Java

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To: COBOL2Java

We have lost sight of what the meaning of the word “exception” means.

When I see a list of “exceptions”, it irritates me. That is a rule established that modifies an existing rule.

When I see or hear someone say “no exceptions”, it likewise irritates me as the whole point of an “exception” occurs through an unforeseen event that creates an exceptional occurrence.

This seems to be a perfect example on a time when an exception should have been made.


21 posted on 05/30/2016 9:39:49 AM PDT by Anitius Severinus Boethius (www.wilsonharpbooks.com - Sign up for my new release e-mail and get my first novel for free)
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To: Farmer Dean; KarlInOhio; bert
Fought off life-threatening demons during the school year;
continued his studies during the episode (the swimming may have been physician ordered therapy);
voted class president (his peers gave him a standing O);
asks to only cap up and walk with those many friends at their graduation;
"officials" deny request.

One hopes his classmate recognize this as government over-reach masquerading as zero tolerance.

It is the same type of over-reach that South Carolina "officials" demonstrate when they disallow reciprocity to other states gun permits. Why doesn't SC refuse to recognize out-of-state driver licenses as easily as the 2d A?

22 posted on 05/30/2016 9:43:37 AM PDT by frog in a pot (That our commander-in-chief can be foreign born to a foreign father thrills the globalists.)
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To: chrisser
And, not to be callous, but perhaps the time spent with the swim team could have been better spent taking another class to make up the credits for graduation. There’s a reason that extra-curricular activities are given that name.

No, I have to disagree. For the kid to participate in a real sport, with difficult training ... AFTER HAVING BEAT CANCER .... shows true grit. Having been in a somewhat similar situation myself, the goal of joining a sports team might have been one of the things that kept him going during the darkest of his days fighting the disease.

Sports (done correctly) are good and important for body, mind, and the building of character. Don't discount them.

23 posted on 05/30/2016 9:45:20 AM PDT by Yossarian
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To: bk1000; All
Really, that’s crap. Sorry for the language. They could have let him walk with his cap & gown and presented him an unsigned or blank diploma. Wouldn’t be a first. I’m surprised these folks let him walk at all.

You naysayers, READ THE ABOVE. : "They could have let him walk with his cap & gown and presented him an unsigned or blank diploma. Wouldn’t be a first.

It happens all the time. This young man showed extraordinary commitment and work - thru' debilitating circumstances not of his making... He deserved to graduate with HIS class...not next years - or being made to put everything on hold for another year.

So take your self-righteousness and stuff it...

24 posted on 05/30/2016 10:17:25 AM PDT by maine-iac7 (A Christian is as a Christian does - "By their works...")
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To: COBOL2Java

There have been many kids that got a blank diploma at graduation because they had to go to summer school to pass the class or classes they flunked. They participated with their class. His was a case that could have easily been treated the same. They could have mentioned as they handed him the blank diploma that he would actually be finishing his remaining requirements for graduation that fall. Everyone in the audience would have understood. Class association is very important. Those are your friends and fellow travelers.


25 posted on 05/30/2016 10:29:54 AM PDT by Revolutionary ("Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition!")
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To: COBOL2Java

Hey, he’s a white guy. No punishment is too great.


26 posted on 05/30/2016 10:31:47 AM PDT by Attention Surplus Disorder (I apologize for not apologizing.)
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To: COBOL2Java

I’m as tough as they come when abiding by the rules is involved.But this kid shouldn’t have been excluded under these circumstances.No way!


27 posted on 05/30/2016 11:12:39 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Obamanomics:Trickle Up Poverty)
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To: Mad Dawgg; frog in a pot

The Harm is precedent

Many lack the credits to graduate on time

Those here that would break the rules are probably hillary supporters


28 posted on 05/30/2016 11:13:18 AM PDT by bert ((K.E.; N.P.; GOPc;+12, 73, ....Opabinia can teach us a lot)
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To: billyboy15
Slippery slope.

So leukemia is nothing more than a "slippery slope" to you? Do let us know when you...your spouse...your child...or your grandchild develops leukemia and we just might play the world's smallest violin for you/him/her.

29 posted on 05/30/2016 11:17:48 AM PDT by Gay State Conservative (Obamanomics:Trickle Up Poverty)
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To: COBOL2Java

That’s f*cking disgusting. Let him walk, hand him a blank diploma, then quietly mail the real one upon completion. He’s short of credits because he was busy TRYING NOT TO DIE month after month. May they be booed and jeered every time they stick their noses outside.


30 posted on 05/30/2016 11:34:12 AM PDT by Laser_Ray (Another nifty idea)
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To: billyboy15

I might agree with you if he’s wasn’t trying so hard.....


31 posted on 05/30/2016 11:37:42 AM PDT by Farmer Dean (Never be more than two steps away from your weapon.)
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To: KarlInOhio

Back in 1990, I was 4 credits short when I entered the senior year in college. I took only one class, once a week, for the entire two semesters. Slight annoyance for me, but I never considered making a stink about it. I don’t think it was the norm back then.

Congrats to the young man for overcoming cancer. That in itself is reward enough.


32 posted on 05/30/2016 11:45:17 AM PDT by 1_Rain_Drop
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To: chrisser

Well aren’t you special.


33 posted on 05/30/2016 11:53:03 AM PDT by bigdaddy45
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To: bert
"Many lack the credits to graduate on time"

Again he didn't ask to graduate early he asked to walk with and sit with his class AFTER he missed school due to Cancer. Years ago locally our school allowed a young man who had been in a car accident and nearly died to walk (with much help) with his class even though he did not finish his school work in time to graduate. He finished it in Summer school and got his diploma. He walked with his class was brought up on stage as an example of someone who would not quit and kept right on with his dreams. And we've never had drama once since then over allowing someone who just didn't get enough credits to wish to walk with their class.

But then around here there is enough people of character in charge that would not allow stupid crap like that. We even still say the pledge of allegiance and have a prayer at school functions. Sad that you live with people of such low character that they can't run things properly.

34 posted on 05/30/2016 11:57:21 AM PDT by Mad Dawgg (If you're going to deny my 1st Amendment rights then I must proceed to the 2nd one...)
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To: bigdaddy45
Well aren’t you special.

Sure beats being ambiguous.
35 posted on 05/30/2016 11:58:31 AM PDT by chrisser
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To: COBOL2Java

The Rules Are The Rules!

Besides, he might outshine someone protege. I’m guessing that’s the rest of the story.


36 posted on 05/30/2016 12:42:32 PM PDT by Fitzy_888 ("ownership society")
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To: TWhiteBear

This is a good lesson to teach everyone that pricks and morons have great power in this world.....Sorry. This is a great lesson to teach everyone that rules, laws, standards of decency and the ability to get over yourself is paramount. Would you allow a Ranger candidate who can’t hike, run and carry a 100 lb. pack because he was unable to graduate? Graduate a Seal who can’t swim fifteen miles because he has asthma?


37 posted on 05/30/2016 12:54:47 PM PDT by Safetgiver (Islam makes barbarism look genteel.)
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To: COBOL2Java

The high school I graduated from allowed those graduating in December to walk in the previous June. It was common.

The school would have for privileged liberals.


38 posted on 05/30/2016 1:23:46 PM PDT by CodeToad (Islam should be banned and treated as a criminal enterprise!)
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To: exDemMom

On the other hand...the picture shows him walking, as part of the overall ceremony, but not doing the cap and gown part - so is he being left out of anything but the part he doesn’t actually qualify for? Looks like he is being separately recognized.

Sounds like whining over minutiae. Perhaps not, if they normally allow almost-graduates to ‘graduate’...but I’ve only seen people compare with what might have been done within alternate traditions.


39 posted on 05/30/2016 5:22:53 PM PDT by lepton ("It is useless to attempt to reason a man out of a thing he was never reasoned into"--Jonathan Swift)
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To: COBOL2Java
The kid is white and male.

If he were any minority, we would not be reading this story; he would be participating fully, maybe, as another poster said, as valedictorian.

But I am deep down very glad that this kid is taking up the mantle of being a white male in a society that cuts white males no slack at all.

It's good for us; it makes us stronger than any other group.

It is good practice for him for when he is middle aged and has to pay triple for everything, and be taxed at the highest rate, only to watch dozens of whiny minority families all around him get born and buried for free, pay no taxes generation after generation, get promoted undeservedly via affirmative action, get preference for everything, get free housing, food, college, health care, cell phones, and get praise that ought to go to him and his kids. Welcome to postmodern America.

White males holding society together in the USA. It's always been that way.

Way to go kid, take your medicine.

By the time the next graduation rolls around you will be sickened to be present among the loser faculty and administration who will pretend to honor you, but really can not.... They have no right to honor you.

Hope you blow it off.

Have your own kids get their high school diplomas online, which they should be able to do by age 14. Your kids should not have to breathe the stink of that high school in order to be educated and go on to college, and beyond, to live great lives.

40 posted on 05/30/2016 6:14:21 PM PDT by caddie
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