Hafsah Abdur-Rahman was very excited to have reached a major milestone in her life. But that moment was ruined when her high school principal denied her high school diploma.
Abdur-Rahman said she was embarrassed and is calling for a change. On June 9, the 17-year-old graduate said she was embarrassed when the Philadelphia High School for Girls principal stole the moment from her.
“She (the principal) stole that moment from me,” said Hafsah Abdur-Rahman. “I will never get that again.”
She said the principal had warned students that their families could not cheer or clap when they walked on stage.
“I understood the rules because I was saying ‘shh’ in the video. Do not say nothing because I want my diploma,” said Abdur-Rahman. “I knew and understood what we were supposed to do.”
Her dance garnered a laugh from the crowd, and because of that, her principal told her she could not receive her diploma, ABC 7 News reported.
“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.
Abdur-Rahman said this moment wasn’t just for her, but it was in honor of her sister, who was killed at 14 years old.
“I was so embarrassed. I couldn’t even enjoy the rest of the graduation,” said Abdur-Rahman.
Three other students were also denied their diplomas on stage, but all four got them following the ceremony.
“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 School District of Philadelphia said in a released statement.
Abdur-Rahman said the assistant superintendent of the school reached out to the family and apologized for the incident.
Although Abdur-Rahman wished she had a better experience, she and her mother hope school leaders learned a valuable lesson.
“It’s 2023, a lot has happened,” said her mother, Jaszmine Reid. “These girls went through COVID together. Our kids are not even living up to see high school. I understand traditions and rules are set in place for a reason, and we’re not saying they should be broken, but it might need to be revised also.”
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