A Philadelphia principal has been replaced after denying a student her diploma after she danced at her graduation.
Last month, a video went viral showing an 18-year-old graduate named Hafsah Abdur-Rahman walking on stage, and doing 'The Griddy' - a dance that originated as a football touchdown celebration - before accepting her diploma from Philadelphia High School for Girls.
However, the teenager's excitement quickly turned into heartbreak after she was not allowed to accept her degree on stage by the school's principal, Lisa Mesi.
This is allegedly because Mesi warned students about specific protocols they had to follow on the day, but Abdur-Rahman contended in an interview with WHYY: "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 added.
Watch the incident 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
According to a Facebook post shared by the teen's grandmother, Renee Hadiyah Reid, the family confronted the school's administrators after the ceremony but were led away by police. Reid penned: "He told us he didn’t think it was ok. He said the best way to get them was through the media and alumni."
Reid also revealed that when the family found Abdur-Rahman after the stage incident, they could tell that she had been crying. "One thing about me I am gonna show up for mines!!", the grandma declared.
"I promise the letters they will be receiving in the next few days won’t be in the principal’s favor!!", she continued. "As educators, you are NOT supposed to humiliate these children. You are supposed to change the trajectory of their lives in a positive way."
The publication also shared that the School District of Philadelphia released a statement after the video made the rounds on the internet.
"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," they said.
Furthermore, Abdur-Rahman told the outlet that the assistant superintendent of the school reached out to her and her mother and apologized for the incident.
It has now been reported by ABC6 that Philadelphia High School for Girls has announced a leadership change following the graduation controversy.
Janis Butler has been named "substitute principal" - according to a letter shared with the school community - and she will take over from Mesi, who had been the principal since 2019.
Philadelphia School District Associate Superintendent Tomás Hanna described the move as "temporary," and said: "Dr. Butler is excited to support the school community to help set the stage for a successful 2023-2024 school year," as cited by the Inquirer.
"While this is the only information I can share at this time, I am committed to providing updates as additional information becomes available," she added.
It has not been revealed whether Mesi will be returning, the circumstances under which she left, or any further information.