High school graduate speaks out after she’s declined diploma for dancing during ceremony
A high school student who was not given her diploma after dancing on stage at graduation has spoken out about her experience.
17-year-old Hafsah Abdur-Rahman was stepping up onto the stage at Philadelphia High School for Girls to get her diploma when she decided to break out a little dance move on her way to the principal.
Despite what certain popular songs have said, it turns out you actually can blame it on the boogie after her principal appeared to tell her that she couldn't get the diploma.
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The school had imposed rules saying that families of the students couldn't clap or cheer for their kids as they strode across the graduation stage.
Hafsah has since spoken out about the incident, which took place on 9 June, saying her principal 'stole that moment from me' and that she 'couldn't even enjoy the rest of the graduation'.
"I understood the rules because I was saying 'shh' in the video. Do not say nothing because I want my diploma," she said to 6abc Philadelphia, explaining that she was punished because the crowd laughed and cheered at her spontaneous dancing.
"I knew and understood what we were supposed to do.
"If they thought that I shouldn't do 'The Griddy' across the stage and do the Girls' High traditions, nobody should have been able to wave or blow kisses or do period signs because I feel like that's the same thing."
'The Griddy', for those of us who are not down with the youth of today and their modern, confusing ways, is a dance move.
Apparently there are times when one may 'Hit The Griddy' but it turns out high school graduation wasn't it.
To 'Hit The Griddy' at a more appropriate time one apparently taps their heels while swinging their arms back and forth, basically just do what Hafsah is doing in the video.
Hafsah said she felt it was 'unfair' for her to be punished in such a way and wanted an apology from her school, which she's since had.
The School District of Philadelphia said in a statement: "The District does not condone the withholding of earned diplomas based on family members cheering for their graduates.
"We apologize to all the families and graduates who were impacted and are further looking into this matter to avoid it happening in the future."
The 17-year-old said the assistant superintendent reached out to her and her mother to discuss the issue.
Joe Harker