A Philadelphia high school has undergone a change in leadership after controversy erupted when the principal denied a student her diploma for dancing during graduation.
After denying a girl her diploma because she danced at her graduation, the principal of a Philadelphia school was replaced.
A video of recent Philadelphia Girls’ High School graduate Hafsah Abdur-Rahman, 18, taking the stage to perform “The Griddy” — a dance that began as a football touchdown celebration — before receiving her diploma went viral last month.
But teenage joy soon turned to pain when Lisa Mesi, the school’s principal, forbade her to receive her diploma on stage.
This is reportedly because Mesi instructed the students to follow certain protocols that day, but Abdur-Rahman argued in an interview with WHYY that “if they thought I shouldn’t do ‘The Griddy’ across the stage and do Girls’ High tradition, no one should have been allowed to wave or blow kisses or do period signs because I feel it’s the same thing. I think it’s unfair,” she continued.
The event can be seen below:
This young woman, Hafsah Abdur-Rahman, was denied her high school diploma for dancing on stage. Philadelphia High School for Girls should be ashamed of themselves. They humiliated this young woman. For NOTHING. pic.twitter.com/x60EaIgEmI
— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) June 16, 2023
Hafsah Abdur-Rahman did not graduate high school because of her stage dancing. The girls at Philadelphia High School for Girls should feel bad. They made this girl feel inferior.
(@marclamonthill) Marc Lamont Hill Renee Hadiyah Reid, the teenager’s grandmother, posted on Facebook claiming that after the ceremony, the family was questioned by school authorities but was eventually taken away by police. He informed us that he did not think it was okay, Reid wrote. He said alumni and the media are the biggest channels to get them.
Reid said Abdur-Rahman’s family could tell she was sobbing when they discovered her on the stage. Grandma declared, “One thing about me, I’ll show up for the mines!”
She said, “I swear the letters they will be getting in the coming days will not be in favor of the Headmaster!!” You MUST NOT demote these kids as instructors. You are expected to change the course of your life for the better.
The article also mentioned that the Philadelphia School District issued a statement following the video’s online backlash.
“The district does not encourage withholding of diplomas because loved ones support their graduates,” he states. We sincerely regret any inconvenience caused to any families or alumni and are actively addressing this situation to prevent it from happening again.
Abdur-Rahman also revealed to the media that the school’s assistant superintendent apologized to the girl and her mother for the incident.
Following the graduation scandal, Philadelphia High School for Girls has reportedly announced a change in leadership, according to ABC6.
According to a letter sent to the school community, Janis Butler has been named “alternate principal” and will replace Mesi, who has served as principal since 2019.
According to the Inquirer, Associate Superintendent Tomas Hanna of the Philadelphia School District called the change “temporary” and said Dr. Butler was “excited to support the school community to help set the stage for a successful 2023-2024 school year.”
I am dedicated to sharing updates as new information becomes available, she said, adding that this is the only information I can provide at this time.
The reasons for Messia’s departure, whether he will return, or any other details have not been released.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of fair treatment and the potential consequences of administrative decisions that affect students’ lives. The education system should strive to uplift students and empower them, supporting their dreams and aspirations, rather than causing unnecessary suffering. We now hope that measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents from happening again and that future graduates will be able to celebrate their achievements without fear of unfair consequences.
Principal had every right, you can’t walk across a stage in a civilized manor, I saw the photo of what did it, just more BLACK PRIVILEGE, act like an idiot, get treated special, Everything beez rayciss because you can’t follow the rules.