A video of a 17-year-old girl being denied her high school diploma while performing a well-known dance has gone viral on social media.
Hafsah Abdur-Rahman, a recent graduate of Philadelphia High School for Girls, spoke to ABC 6 about being denied her special moment. “[The principal] stole that moment from me,” Abdur-Rahman explained. “I will never get that again.”
Hafsah Abdur-Rahman told the publication that when the students walked on stage, the principal told them their families couldn’t cheer or clap. But when Rahman started dancing, the audience applauded and laughed, and she claims that’s why she didn’t get her diploma.
“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. I feel like that’s unfair,” said Abdur-Rahman.
According to Abdur-Rahman, three other girls did not receive their diplomas on stage, but rather after the ceremony.
The school district said in a statement that it “does not condone the withholding of earned diplomas based on family members cheering for their graduates.” We apologize to all of the affected families and graduates, and we are looking into this matter further to avoid it happening in the future.”
