A Very Costly Kiss; Senior Denied Diploma

[browneyes106]

http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92681?fp=1


by Mike Krumboltz

For teens, there is no greater joy than graduating high school. Shaking off the shackles of education and claiming that hard-fought diploma is truly an epic day. Unfortunately, for several students at Bonny Eagle High School in Maine, their natural exuberance has led to some surprisingly serious problems.

On Friday night, when the senior class was waiting to graduate, excitement began to grow. Students bounced a large inflatable rubber duck. The noise level rose. And then came "the kiss." When called, one student walked on stage to receive his diploma and blew a kiss to his family. The school administrator, clearly not the sentimental sort, sent the student back to his seat ... sans diploma.

[Zoneboy]

Link (http://www.wmtw.com/education/19763059/detail.html)

STANDISH, Maine -- Justin Denney's family watched on as he ascended the Cumberland County Civic Center stage during graduation Friday night to accept his diploma, but the superintendent told him to return to his seat.

The Bonny Eagle High School senior's mother wants an apology, and her son wants his diploma, News 8's Will Lewis exclusively reported Monday night.


"It's all I can think of now," Justin Denney said. "Why did that happen. What just happened?"

Mary Denney said she can't believe how her son's taking a bow and blowing a kiss on stage was grounds for the superintendent to withhold his diploma.

"I'm like, 'Did she not hand him his diploma?' I'm like, 'What's going on?'" Mary Denney said.

She said she and Justin both signed a code of conduct regarding the graduation when she picked up graduation tickets on Friday, but she doesn't think he violated it.

"There was no misbehavior. Showboating is not misbehavior," Mary Denney said. "A bow, a kiss to your mom is not misbehavior. There was no need of my son not getting his diploma."

Before the school began handing out diplomas, some students pulled out beach balls. One student was forced to sit away from his classmates with staff while police escorted another student behind the stage.

"No arrests were made. The individual that was escorted off the stage was asked to leave the civic center. He was to the point where the deputy wanted to arrest the individual, but gave him several opportunities to settle down. Eventually, he took off his cap and gown and threw it at the deputy and walked out of the civic center," Cumberland County Sheriff's Department Deputy Chief Kevin Joyce said.

The deputy returned to the crowd and took another beach ball away from the students, but Mary Denney said School Area District 6 Superintendent Suzanne Lukas was still upset.

"When she got up there and started speaking, they threw out a couple more balls and she turned around and said, 'More people may not be graduating today if this continues,'" Mary Denney said.

While in his seat or waiting in line for his diploma, Justin Denney never touched a beach ball. After his name was called, he took a bow, blew a kiss to and pointed to his family and he pulled out a necklace made for him after he won a state track final, but he didn't get his diploma, leaving a whole family in disbelief.

"A bow, a kiss to your mom is not misbehavior. There was no need of my son not getting his diploma."
- Mary Denney,
Bonny Eagle High School senior's mother


"I said, 'What did she ask you?' And, he goes, 'She said, 'There's no fooling around up here,'' and he just kind of looked at her because he wasn't fooling around. He didn't consider that fooling around or misbehaving in any sense of the word, and she goes, 'Why do you feel you deserve your diploma?' He goes, 'Because I worked hard and I earned it,' and she goes, 'No go take your seat,'" Mary Denney said.

The crowd booed, but Justin Denney still doesn't have his diploma. Now, his mother wants her son to get what he's worked so hard for.

"It was appalling, and I want justice for my son. I want her to apologize to my son and I want her to hand him his diploma while he is in his cap and gown," Mary Denney said.

Carl Hoffses described his son as a good kid who never caused trouble.

"It was embarrassing. it was humiliating for my son, and I think we need some answers, something needs to be done," he said.

Both of Justin Denney's grandparents are ill and one of their wishes was to see their grandson graduate from high school, something they didn't get to see happen Friday.

Mary Denney said she is planning a graduation party for her son in two weeks, which, by then, she said she hopes she will have a photograph of her son with his diploma.

News 8 tried to contact the district's superintendent and the school's principal, but neither returned the calls by Monday evening. The superintendent is out of the office for the next few days, but an assistant superintendent said Justin Denney will receive his diploma.

Hoffses said what's done is done: "It's a once-in-a-lifetime event. It's like a wedding, it's like a birth. There's no do-overs. She stole his once-in-a-lifetime dream of graduating high school with pride and honor and she squashed it and left him feeling humiliated in front of the entire high school."

The school board is planning to discuss graduation ceremonies on Monday.

[Waterston_Fan]

Link (http://www.wmtw.com/education/19763059/detail.html)

STANDISH, Maine -- Justin Denney's family watched on as he ascended the Cumberland County Civic Center stage during graduation Friday night to accept his diploma, but the superintendent told him to return to his seat.

The Bonny Eagle High School senior's mother wants an apology, and her son wants his diploma, News 8's Will Lewis exclusively reported Monday night.


"It's all I can think of now," Justin Denney said. "Why did that happen. What just happened?"

Mary Denney said she can't believe how her son's taking a bow and blowing a kiss on stage was grounds for the superintendent to withhold his diploma.

"I'm like, 'Did she not hand him his diploma?' I'm like, 'What's going on?'" Mary Denney said.

She said she and Justin both signed a code of conduct regarding the graduation when she picked up graduation tickets on Friday, but she doesn't think he violated it.

"There was no misbehavior. Showboating is not misbehavior," Mary Denney said. "A bow, a kiss to your mom is not misbehavior. There was no need of my son not getting his diploma."

Before the school began handing out diplomas, some students pulled out beach balls. One student was forced to sit away from his classmates with staff while police escorted another student behind the stage.

"No arrests were made. The individual that was escorted off the stage was asked to leave the civic center. He was to the point where the deputy wanted to arrest the individual, but gave him several opportunities to settle down. Eventually, he took off his cap and gown and threw it at the deputy and walked out of the civic center," Cumberland County Sheriff's Department Deputy Chief Kevin Joyce said.

The deputy returned to the crowd and took another beach ball away from the students, but Mary Denney said School Area District 6 Superintendent Suzanne Lukas was still upset.

"When she got up there and started speaking, they threw out a couple more balls and she turned around and said, 'More people may not be graduating today if this continues,'" Mary Denney said.

While in his seat or waiting in line for his diploma, Justin Denney never touched a beach ball. After his name was called, he took a bow, blew a kiss to and pointed to his family and he pulled out a necklace made for him after he won a state track final, but he didn't get his diploma, leaving a whole family in disbelief.

"A bow, a kiss to your mom is not misbehavior. There was no need of my son not getting his diploma."
- Mary Denney,
Bonny Eagle High School senior's mother


"I said, 'What did she ask you?' And, he goes, 'She said, 'There's no fooling around up here,'' and he just kind of looked at her because he wasn't fooling around. He didn't consider that fooling around or misbehaving in any sense of the word, and she goes, 'Why do you feel you deserve your diploma?' He goes, 'Because I worked hard and I earned it,' and she goes, 'No go take your seat,'" Mary Denney said.

The crowd booed, but Justin Denney still doesn't have his diploma. Now, his mother wants her son to get what he's worked so hard for.

"It was appalling, and I want justice for my son. I want her to apologize to my son and I want her to hand him his diploma while he is in his cap and gown," Mary Denney said.

Carl Hoffses described his son as a good kid who never caused trouble.

"It was embarrassing. it was humiliating for my son, and I think we need some answers, something needs to be done," he said.

Both of Justin Denney's grandparents are ill and one of their wishes was to see their grandson graduate from high school, something they didn't get to see happen Friday.

Mary Denney said she is planning a graduation party for her son in two weeks, which, by then, she said she hopes she will have a photograph of her son with his diploma.

News 8 tried to contact the district's superintendent and the school's principal, but neither returned the calls by Monday evening. The superintendent is out of the office for the next few days, but an assistant superintendent said Justin Denney will receive his diploma.

Hoffses said what's done is done: "It's a once-in-a-lifetime event. It's like a wedding, it's like a birth. There's no do-overs. She stole his once-in-a-lifetime dream of graduating high school with pride and honor and she squashed it and left him feeling humiliated in front of the entire high school."

The school board is planning to discuss graduation ceremonies on Monday.

Can't really do anything nowadays. If you fart, you won't get your diploma. Just watch!!

[Zoneboy]

He should've received his diploma and not punished for what was a seemingly innocent gesture. The bitch that denied him his diploma deserves to be fired for her stupid and senseless actions.

[Doodyville10019]

This isn't the first time something like this has happened this year.

I just want to know why all of these school admins are taking graduation so seriously? Is it an image issue? Is it a perception issue? Someone should let me know.

It's not like these kids are graduating from business school or law school (where most grads are demur) - this is HIGH SCHOOL, damnit! Let the kids get rowdy and crazy - it's THEIR time, not the administration's or the school board's.

[Marvo301]

This kid worked hard for 12 years to earn his diploma. He should be allowed to express his joy and excitement without having a once in a lifetime moment taken away from him!

[Big C]

For a school administrator, she's a heartless bastard who deserves to lose her job!

[OH Nuts!]

I think that disgusting administrator owes the kid and his mom an apology. And soon. I hope the Dennies consider legal action if common sense and decency on the school bd does not soon prevail. The administrator s/b demoted with a cut in pay - but as someone said earlier - canning her a$$ enitrely works for me too.

[sara]

Wow talk about overreacting. :rolleyes:

[80sTrivia]

So sad that we've turned into a fascist state... good to know the Graduation Gestapo are around the make sure no-one expresses any individuality or true joy over achieving a hard-earned goal in a sad, depressing, increasingly bizarre world. :mad:

[Schmoopie]

Oh Good God! We tossed beach balls and so forth when I graduated from HS back in 1986 and when my brother graduated in 1996, that class did it too! Some of the grads even wore sunglasses.

Now if this kid had gone on stage and started making out with another student, I could see that being uncalled for. But blowing a kiss to your mom? I've never seen a kid do that and for me that would be a highlight of a long and boring ceremony. Sadly not many kids show affection to their parents anymore.

I cannot understand why that would be grounds for withholding a diploma.

I have a feeling that the superintendent is going to be "out of the office" for longer than a few days. She just wants to avoid the publicity. If I were that family, I would go to the state school board and demand that this situation gets resolved.

What would have happened if a student pulled out a gun? I shudder to think!

I'm interested to see how this turns out so if anyone hears anything please post it, okay?
Thanks!

Andrea

[comedyfreak]

I hope his parents sue the school and the teacher.

[catlover79]

Wow talk about overreacting. :rolleyes:
Exactly. ohno:

[Stuck In The '70's]

This is ridiculous. Of course he will get his diploma. They can't keep that away from him. He earned it. And that bitch should be fired. She ruined his graduation and he'll only have one of those. The Graduation Ceremonies are for the students not for the overzealous administrators. :rolleyes:

[MickeyMac]

What these schools are doing can be described in one word: bullsh*t

[Marvo301]

What these schools are doing can be described in one word: bullsh*t
Well put Mickey!

[Janice]

I think he should get his diploma, but he should have saved his antics for after the ceremony. We have ceremonies for the entire group, not just one person. If every 10th person pulled a stunt, the ceremony would turn into chaos real fast. The kid is obviously a narcissist. Look at ME, ME, ME. Why does he have to be so precious, so coddled, so individualistic? The rest of the class didn’t need to focus all attention on themselves, since he’s the only one who got into trouble. Like I read somewhere today, all this kid needs is a million Mommies crying on his behalf now. That'll man him up real fast.

The kid signed a code of conduct beforehand. He knew what he was doing was violating the rules. I'm sure the students were told, get your diploma and no fooling around. He figured he'd take a shot. He gambled and lost.

[catlover79]

^ Oh, we had plenty of show-offs at my graduation, too. Some kids (and parents) have no class. :rolleyes:

[Big C]

he should have saved his antics for after the ceremony. We have ceremonies for the entire group, not just one person. If every 10th person pulled a stunt, the ceremony would turn into chaos real fast. The kid is obviously a narcissist. Look at ME, ME, ME. Why does he have to be so precious, so coddled, so individualistic? The rest of the class didn’t need to focus all attention on themselves, since he’s the only one who got into trouble. Like I read somewhere today, all this kid needs is a million Mommies crying on his behalf now. That'll man him up real fast.

The kid signed a code of conduct beforehand. He knew what he was doing was violating the rules. I'm sure the students were told, get your diploma and no fooling around. He figured he'd take a shot. He gambled and lost.

I have to disgree.

Narcissist? He was really happy and was gesturing to his mother, not himself. Graduation students aren't supposed to be emotionless robots.

[Janice]

I have to disgree.

Narcissist? He was really happy and was gesturing to his mother, not himself. Graduation students aren't supposed to be emotionless robots.
Where's it stop, cartwheels? It wasn't only about him. He had plenty of time for the antics. He signed an agreement to comply, but didn't. He'll get his diploma, as he should, in the mail. He knew what could happen. As I stated earlier, he gambled and lost. Too bad because it's a once in a lifetime ceremony. All he had to do was what all the other students managed to do, which is follow the rules.

[70s show watcher]

What these schools are doing can be described in one word: bullsh*tmy sentiments exactly

[Janice]

What is wrong about someone showing love and thanks to their families?

Students who are graduating do that all the time. Should human emotion be
outlawed around the world? I think you are a emotionless robot just like
some high school students around this country. I suppose you also think
that that heartless school superintendent should keep her job. You really
seem to be against humanity in any and all forms.
Don't put words in my mouth. Also, I have a right to express my opinion without being insulted, so take a step back.

[Shine]

I see no problem in what the kid did. It was a simple, harmless gesture. The administrator overreacted.

[Lee]

I see no problem in what the kid did. It was a simple, harmless gesture. The administrator overreacted.

I agree with you. It is not like he was one of those other students who were
throwing beach balls around. Now that was uncalled for as well as the
disrespect that at least one student showed toward law enforcement.

[Hollow]

I suppose you also think
that that heartless school superintendent should keep her job.
i do. it's a shame what happened, but he did sign a code of conduct.

and janice is against humanity? she goes above and beyond to make other people happy. do you not realize who you aimed that post at?

[Lee]

i do. it's a shame what happened, but he did sign a code of conduct.

and janice is against humanity? she goes above and beyond to make other people happy. do you not realize who you aimed that post at?

I realize and I apologize, to both Janice and you. I spoke what was on my
mind without thinking how much it would hurt anyone.

[PrettyinPink55]

The school overreacted here!!! The kid should get his diploma!!!! A harmless gesture. I mean, he wasn't flicking anyone off or mooning anyone!!! He was blowing a kiss to his mother!!! I think it's kind of sweet that he did that!!! Sucks that he was denied his diploma for that.

[Shine]

The school overreacted here!!! The kid should get his diploma!!!! A harmless gesture. I mean, he wasn't flicking anyone off or mooning anyone!!! He was blowing a kiss to his mother!!! I think it's kind of sweet that he did that!!! Sucks that he was denied his diploma for that.
At my graduation a student actually did moon the audiance. :eek: Go class of '95! :lol: ;)

[Big C]

If this kid was one of the students who threw the beach balls, I'd understand.

But he didn't- I hope this gets resolved without drastic action (i.e. court, suing, etc.)

[Lee]

At my graduation a student actually did moon the audiance. :eek: Go class of '95! :lol: ;)

Like your picture of Jami Gertz!

[Chocoholic]

I also agree that the school overreacted. If he did something like give everyone the Finger, then I can understand them denying him his diploma, but all he did was blow a kiss to his mom.

Zero tolerance and lack of common sense is what is ruining our public schools.

[OH Nuts!]

I also agree that the school overreacted. If he did something like give everyone the Finger, then I can understand them denying him his diploma, but all he did was blow a kiss to his mom.

Zero tolerance and lack of common sense is what is ruining our public schools.

I could see if the kid flipped the bird, did a raspberry or disgusting armpit sound, or made a wiseass expression or remark, but all he did was express affection to his family. Sorry I don't get that what he did was so egregious. And so....the winner of the bad judgment and lack-of-common-sense award....goes to the sch. super (who imo is very very far from super)

[LoveMrsG]

At my graduation a student actually did moon the audiance. :eek: Go class of '95! :lol: ;)
:rofl:

I agree with most everyone else here. Perhaps he did sign a code of conduct, but still, she didn't have to ruin his graduation over blowing a simple kiss to his mother. It's a shame more high school students don't show love to their mothers these days. She's got a real broomstick problem if you ask me. (You know...broomstick up her...eh, you get the point. :lol: ;))

[LoveMrsG]

I also agree that the school overreacted. If he did something like give everyone the Finger, then I can understand them denying him his diploma, but all he did was blow a kiss to his mom.

Zero tolerance and lack of common sense is what is ruining our public schools.
:clap

Chocoholic, I couldn't have said it any better myself! This is ridiculous. Honestly, the world would be a MUCH better place if everybody would stop being so damned uptight and stop making such big deals out of nothing! :rolleyes: