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Home> Life

Updated 15:46 17 Jun 2023 GMT+1Published 15:29 17 Jun 2023 GMT+1

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

She's since been given an apology for the way things played out

Joe Harker

Joe Harker

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.

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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.

The high school student got in trouble because the crowd cheered her dancing.
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'.

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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.

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The 17-year-old 'hit the griddy' on her way to collect her high school diploma.
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.

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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.

Featured Image Credit: 6abc Philadelphia

Topics: Life, News, US News

Joe Harker
Joe Harker

Joe graduated from the University of Salford with a degree in Journalism and worked for Reach before joining the LADbible Group. When not writing he enjoys the nerdier things in life like painting wargaming miniatures and chatting with other nerds on the internet. He's also spent a few years coaching fencing. Contact him via [email protected]

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@MrJoeHarker

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