High school principal refused to give graduation certificate to student because she danced on stage

A high school student ended up not getting her diploma for graduation after her principal refused to hand it over on the stage.

17-year-old Hafsah Abdur-Rahman was graduating from Philadelphia School for Girls when she decided to bust out a dance move as she made her way to the principal.

This drew laughs and cheers from the crowd but when the time came to get her diploma, she wasn't handed one.

The school reportedly had rules that family members weren't allowed to cheer or clap for their kids as they graduated and the noise from the audience after Hafsah danced apparently broke these rules.

She wasn't the only one on the day (9 June) who didn't get her diploma as there were a smattering of others who also walked away empty handed.

6abc Philadelphia

Speaking to 6abc Philadelphia, the high school student said she'd been 'so embarrassed' by the whole thing and it left her feeling like she 'couldn't even enjoy the rest of the graduation'.

She said: "I understood the rules because I was saying 'shh' in the video. Do not say nothing because I want my diploma, I knew and understood what we were supposed to do.

"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. She stole that moment from me. I will never get that again."

For those not in the know, 'The Griddy' is a dance move where you tap your heels and swing your arms just like Hafsah does in footage of the moment.

6abc Philadelphia

The School District of Philadelphia issued a statement on the matter, saying: "The District does not condone the withholding of earned diplomas based on family members cheering for their graduates.

"We apologise to all the families and graduates who were impacted and are further looking into this matter to avoid it happening in the future."

However, Hafsah has since received an apology.

She said that the school's assistant superintendent of the school had reached out to speak to Hafsah and her mother, apologising for the ordeal and to discuss the matter further.

Hafsah's mother, Jaszmine Reid, said: "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."

Tyla has reached out to Philadelphia High School for Girls for further comment.