• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
High school graduate speaks out after she’s declined diploma for dancing during ceremony

Home> News

Updated 14:41 17 Jun 2023 GMT+1Published 14:39 17 Jun 2023 GMT+1

High school graduate speaks out after she’s declined diploma for dancing during ceremony

Hafsah Abdur-Rahman did not get her diploma after busting some moves

Joe Harker

Joe Harker

Featured Image Credit: 6abc Philadelphia

Topics: US News, School, Education, News

Joe Harker
Joe Harker

Joe graduated from the University of Salford with a degree in Journalism and worked for Reach before joining the LADbible Group. When not writing he enjoys the nerdier things in life like painting wargaming miniatures and chatting with other nerds on the internet. He's also spent a few years coaching fencing. Contact him via [email protected]

X

@MrJoeHarker

Advert

Advert

Advert

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.

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.

Advert

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'.

The 17-year-old danced her way onto the graduation stage, and as a result was denied her diploma.
6abc Philadelphia

"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.

Advert

"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.

Advert

Hafsah Abdur-Rahman said she felt like her principal 'stole' the moment from her.
6abc Philadelphia

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."

Advert

The 17-year-old said the assistant superintendent reached out to her and her mother to discuss the issue.

Choose your content:

8 mins ago
an hour ago
  • 8 mins ago

    Eye-watering amount ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ is set to cost taxpayers every year

    Florida's new migrant detention center opened on July 1

    News
  • an hour ago

    Justin Timberlake reveals he’s been diagnosed with Lyme disease in heartbreaking post

    Justin Timberlake explained that he's been 'battling some health issues'

    Celebrity
  • an hour ago

    Double Olympic gold medalist dies aged 31 in tragic mountaineering accident

    Laura Dahlmeier sadly died while travelling in Pakistan

    News
  • an hour ago

    Trump makes major announcement on Mexico tariffs just hours before they were supposed to go into effect

    The tariffs were due to kick in tomorrow (August 1)

    News
  • Principal replaced after denying high school graduate her diploma for dancing during ceremony
  • Graduate chased on stage during ceremony by police after making promise to his son
  • High school graduate denied her diploma on stage by principal after dancing during ceremony
  • High school graduate denied diploma on stage by principal after dancing during ceremony gets apology