Something Stupid To Support...

[willy4pres]

For those who enjoy that kind of thing:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/EDUCATION/06....ap/index.html

GALESBURG, Illinois (AP) -- Caisha Gayles graduated with honors last month, but she is still waiting for her diploma. The reason: the whoops of joy from the audience as she crossed the stage.

Gayles was one of five students denied diplomas from the lone public high school in Galesburg after enthusiastic friends or family members cheered for them during commencement.

About a month before the May 27 ceremony, Galesburg High students and their parents had to sign a contract promising to act in dignified way. Violators were warned they could be denied their diplomas and barred from the after-graduation party.

Many schools across the country ask spectators to hold applause and cheers until the end of graduation. But few of them enforce the policy with what some in Galesburg say are strong-arm tactics.

"It was like one of the worst days of my life," said Gayles, who had a 3.4 grade-point average and officially graduated, but does not have the keepsake diploma to hang on her wall. "You walk across the stage and then you can't get your diploma because of other people cheering for you. It was devastating, actually."

School officials in Galesburg, a working-class town of 34,000 that is still reeling from the 2004 shutdown of a 1,600-employee refrigerator factory, said the get-tough policy followed a 2005 commencement where hoots, hollers and even air horns drowned out much of the ceremony and nearly touched off fights in the audience when the unruly were asked to quiet down.

"Lots of parents complained that they could not hear their own child's name called," said Joel Estes, Galesburg's assistant superintendent. "And I think that led us to saying we have to do something about this to restore some dignity and honor to the ceremony so that everyone can appreciate it and enjoy it."

In Indianapolis, public school officials this year started kicking out parents and relatives who cheer. At one school, the superintendent interrupted last month's graduation to order police to remove a woman from the gymnasium.

"It's an important, solemn occasion. There's plenty of time for celebration before and after," said Clarke Campbell, president of the Indianapolis school board.

In Galesburg, the issue has taken on added controversy with accusations that the students were targeted because of their race: four are black and one is Hispanic. Parents say cheers also erupted for white students, and none of them was denied a diploma.

Principal Tom Chiles said administrators who monitored the more than 2,000-seat auditorium reported only disruptions they considered "significant," and all turned in the same five names.

"Race had absolutely nothing to do with it whatsoever," Chiles said. "It is the amount of disruption at the time of the incident."

School officials said they will hear students and parents out if they appeal. Meanwhile, the school said the five students can still get their diplomas by completing eight hours of public service work, answering phones, sorting books or doing other chores for the district, situated about 150 miles southwest of Chicago.

Gayles' mother said she plans to fight the school board -- in court if necessary -- to get her daughter's diploma. The noise "was like three seconds. It was like, 'Yay,' and that was it," Carolyn Gayles said.

American Civil Liberties Union spokesman Edward Yohnka said Galesburg's policy raises no red flags as long as it is enforced equitably. "It's probably well within the school's ability to control the decorum at an event like this," he said.

Another student who was denied her diploma, Nadia Trent, said she will probably let the school keep it if her appeals fail.

"It's not fair. Somebody could not like me and just decide to yell to get me in trouble. I can't control everyone, just the ones I gave tickets to," Trent said.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

[G3fan]

If I ever have kids they are being homeschooled. These places are seriously getting outta hand. Along with their clothing policies they're beginning to sound like bootcamp compounds.

[JCJanko]

If I ever have kids they are being homeschooled. These places are seriously getting outta hand. Along with their clothing policies they're beginning to sound like bootcamp compounds.

Wow, you and I may do the exact same thing...for exactly the opposite reasons. While I don't necessarily agree with this situation, most schools are garbage because they let kids come in half naked and treat everyone like crap. Thus, no one learns anything. That's what you would rather have? I don't get it.

Bootcamp would be nice.

[Wruff_ajax]

If all the stupid parents would quit acting like stupid kids and raising their stupid kids to be stupid thugs then we wouldn't have to make these stupid rules to keep their stupid parents from acting like their stupid kids at their stupid kids graduation ceremony.

[Nostalgia Act]

When my daughter graduated from Pre-K, i let out the biggest "way to go sweetie, i'm proud of you."

All the parents yelled out their approval.

The little one's LOVED IT!

When she graduates from high school in two years, she knows it's coming.

She accepts that it's coming.

It will be quick and only during her walk and acceptance.

But still.....it's coming

Community service? Pfft!!

I try to raise them to be their brother's keeper anyway.

And i'll do it with her.

[willy4pres]

When my daughter graduated from Pre-K, i let out the biggest "way to go sweetie, i'm proud of you."

All the parents yelled out their approval.

The little one's LOVED IT!

When she graduates from high school in two years, she knows it's coming.

She accepts that it's coming.

It will be quick and only during her walk and acceptance.

But still.....it's coming

Community service? Pfft!!

I try to raise them to be their brother's keeper anyway.

And i'll do it with her.

Growing up, our town (Arnold Mo.) would all turn out to watch the local high school graduation (other then the Cardinals there isn't much to do in Arnold). Eventually they started renting out The Arena (where the Blues played their hockey games). It was fun for us kids, everyone screaming for their friends and family, it was a good time. You only graduate once, it should be a party not a funeral.

[FORD]

If I ever have kids they are being homeschooled.

Anyone who has ever read your diatribes of ignorance is praying for sterility right now. Even the atheists.

And why is it all too often those who are least qualified to do so who are "homeschooling" children??

[willy4pres]

Anyone who has ever read your diatribes of ignorance is praying for sterility right now. Even the atheists.

And why is it all too often those who are least qualified to do so who are "homeschooling" children??

FORD, come on man, he wasn't starting anything, why should you?

[cyberfiddl]

FORD, come on man, he wasn't starting anything, why should you?

It just wouldn't be right if he didn't...

[Nostalgia Act]

Growing up, our town (Arnold Mo.) would all turn out to watch the local high school graduation (other then the Cardinals there isn't much to do in Arnold). Eventually they started renting out The Arena (where the Blues played their hockey games). It was fun for us kids, everyone screaming for their friends and family, it was a good time. You only graduate once, it should be a party not a funeral.

I agree. Galesburg is up the road a bit from my hometown. Monkeyboy is also from my hometown so i know he knows where Galesburg is.

That town was hit hard when that factory closed. Maybe some of the parents
worked there and wanted better for their kids(like all parents do)

I dunno Wruff, do "thugs" usually graduate with a 3.4 GPA?

Were the parents overzealous? Don't know, wasn't there.

This is not good though. All publicity is not good publicity

[Down In Flames]

FORD, come on man, he wasn't starting anything, why should you?

"Because he's... FORD. It's... what he does." <--- In my *best* Shatner voice.

[FORD]

FORD, come on man, he wasn't starting anything, why should you?

Because the idea of "I'm gonna homeskool my kids so they can be just as goddamn igno'rnt as I am" is just complete stupidity.

Now back on topic......

I think it's bullshit that they don't give the girl her diploma. She earned it, and her obnoxious relatives had nothing to with that. Yeah, I've been to graduation ceremonies before where they came dangerously close to bloodshed. Fucking air horns were a bit much. But I wouldn't have beat the crap out of the kid who was graduating, if it wasn't their fault.

[FORD]

"Because he's... FORD. It's... what he does." <--- In my *best* Shatner voice.

Captain, I find your explanation to be completely devoid of logic.

[Kimmie5150]

If all the stupid parents would quit acting like stupid kids and raising their stupid kids to be stupid thugs then we wouldn't have to make these stupid rules to keep their stupid parents from acting like their stupid kids at their stupid kids graduation ceremony.

I agree 100%, the whole thing is stupid!

[Kimmie5150]

Hey FORD, Why don't you just go ahead and run for the presidency? I'm sure DIF will vote for ya! LOL!!