Craziness: School Refuses To Give Student His Diploma Because Family Cheered Too Loud at Graduation

June 6th, 2012 - By Brande Victorian

dailymail.co.uk

This story is giving me serious flashbacks. I went to a Catholic Highschool and remember being lectured nearly every day up until graduation about the consequences of our families cheering too loudly at the commencement ceremony—as if we had any control over them. The threats seemed pretty baseless but a Cincinnati student is actually being denied his diploma because he received too many cheers when he walked across the stage.

Anthony Cornist is a popular student at Mt. Healthy High School and when he achieved the pinnacle of high school achievements, he received roaring support from family, friends, and even some teachers. But when all was said and done, Anthony didn’t receive the diploma he earned from the school, he got a letter from the principle instead, stating:

 ”I will be holding your diploma in the main office due to the excessive cheering your guests displayed during the roll call.”

Anthony and his family were shocked. He told WCPO News, “I did nothing wrong except walk across the stage.”

What’s crazier is principal Marlon Styles is demanding 20 hours of community service before Anthony can officially graduate, and get this, the hours can be split between Anthony and his family, or the senior can perform them all himself. The teen’s mother, Traci Cornist says the school is insane.

“I don’t understand how he’s being punished for something he has no control over. I just thought that was ludicrous… I have no clue where the logic comes in.”

“He’s definitely not doing the community service,” she said. “I’m definitely not doing the community service.”

Calls to the principal, the district superintendent, and even an in-person visit to Mt. Healthy High School have all been ignored, and though we usually think of a diploma as nothing but a piece of paper, the school’s actions could halt Anthony’s future plans. He told the news station:

“I have a college right now that definitely needs my diploma.”

I assume the school must be holding his transcripts as well which is a huge overreaction, particularly at an event where cheering and celebratory support are expected. It hardly seems like the school should or does have the right to withhold an achievement this student spent four years earning.

What do you think about this situation? Did your school crack down on cheering during graduation?


Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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  • nisha136988

    I don’t know any school that doesn’t have this as a rule, however who really follow it. No one knows what that family probably went though to get him through high school; therefore I think they can scream how ever loud they want. My school had the same rule and I had a whole section of family with signs and doing the wave (I’m the last of five so they were super happy lol) and I was kind of embarrassed. I think that the family should sue, this “punishment” could ruin his future plans and he did nothing wrong.

  • http://twitter.com/prfectisshe myprfectimprfections

    i just wish there was some footage of how they were acting. i still think it is too much to punish this boy.

  • Deni47

    Family should sue the school, the school board, and the principal since the diploma is his property if all fees were paid and he completed the requirements. I’ve been to many graduations and the extra cheers some people get do not upset anyone but the administration. If anyone should be penalized for taking up time it would be the speakers.

  • Donna

    Oh please… I’m sick of people saying “Rules are rules”. That is the most preposterous thing I’ve ever heard when it comes to the cheering rule. A high school/ college graduation is a once in a lifetime event. Why not let the families express their pride and excitement for their loved one? If the principle feels that strongly about it, then punish the teachers who cheered as well.. The fact of the matter is, the principle felt the need to send a message, but he went about it in the wrong way.. give the boy his diploma and his transcripts and leave this mess in the past.. what’s done is done. get over it. point and simple.

  • REAL TALKER

    American Racism!!!

  • Skye

    wait…am i the only person that noticed that this child can’t read?…

    • Constance Truggle

      No. He can’t read WELL, apparently, but he CAN read. And you know, if they had a problem with his lack of reading ability (as I do, because yeah, at his age he should be better than that), then they should have informed him and not let him graduate. So his reading ability is NOT something that entered the consideration. That was just spite, imo.

    • Simone

      Am I the only person that noticed that you can’t capitalize? Is grammar not important, too?

    • Not Your Friend

      No, you are not. He could barely read the letter, which tells me that he probably doesn’t deserve to get a diploma. This is why so many employers are requiring a college degree, because HS diplomas are given to anyone, and employers can’t differentiate between those who actually earned theirs.

  • Constance Truggle

    First, he can’t help what others do. Second, we should ALWAYS encourage our students and show our pride when they complete their studies! Ridiculous morons! I don’t understand rules like that. We never had them. In fact, if I recall correctly, our families were encouraged to cheer on their student(s).

  • lalatarea

    ummm 1800callsam

  • Treacle234

    This story is so crazy.

  • Miss Anonymous

    So if “he received roaring support from family, friends, and even some teachers.” Shouldnt the students and teachers who cheered also get punished and not just him. Especially the teachers because shouldnt they of all people know the protocol for a graduation and should be punished harshley also?

  • http://www.facebook.com/minkysmom82 Alexis Morris

    its over and done with. why turn a joyous moment into something SO UGLY? the other kids wouldn’t have remembered that someones family was loud, but that one of their classmates didn’t get their diploma for a silly reason. you can’t punish the family either. that’s like giving the child a whooping the day after the badness has been done. you can’t take it back.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/YuTasha-Johnson/100003030092596 YuTasha Johnson

    WTH!?! This p***** me off. He earned that damn diploma, not his family. The best answer for these ridiculous graduation rules; stop inviting family!! Give the damn kids a ceremony for them and their classmates. Sheesh! I’d gladly watch my son’s big day on a dvd or something, before watching a horror show like this!

    • Not Your Friend

      Doesn’t seem like he earned it. He could barely read. He was probably promoted to the next grade simply because he played football for the school.

  • sammi_lu

    No..what’s worse is the one where the mother was actually escorted out as her daughter walked the stage, and ARRESTED and FINED $250!!! I’m done..I can’t even live life! I understand wanting to curb excess enthusiasm but when is it going too far? What are you really trying to prove??

  • Ladybug94

    Don’t get stressed; get an attorney. Let them handle it and get your diploma so you can go to college. Tired of these faux administrators making bad decisions with kids futures. Put their names in enough lawsuits and they will think twice.

  • Mrsadkiah

    Rules are rules and while I think this rule is the most RIDICULOUS rule ever, the parents didn’t follow the rule and they were punised. I do not think it legal to with hold a diploma however

    Now this whole thing with attempting to “protect” students who don’t get any cheers is the most ridiculous thing of off. When did this nation become a nation of wimps? We have “participation” awards to make sure everyone feels like a winner and now you can’t respectfully cheer for your family member at a graduation because some other kids feelings might get hurt? WTF? I understand that there are kids with no family and who weren’t popular but really what the heck? Stop coddling these people.

  • Rah Truth

    If the boy’s family acted a fool, it’s not his fault. Give that boy his papers, and deal with the family!

  • Liz

    This principal would be sued… For sure.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/YuTasha-Johnson/100003030092596 YuTasha Johnson

      That was my thought also

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