A high school graduate wasn't given her diploma while on stage because she made the crowd laugh, in what is another loss for those attempting to spread joy.
Hafsah Abdur-Rahman, 17, was full of joy as she was set to graduate from The Philadelphia High School for Girls on June 9.
Holding a bouquet of flowers, the teen's name was called and she joyfully danced her way across the stage to collect her diploma - and that's where things took a turn.
After making the audience laugh, Abdur-Rahman reached for the diploma, but Principal Lisa Mesi refused to give it to her and instructed her to walk away, before she dropped it into a basket on the floor by her side.
The confused 17-year-old spoke to ABC6 about the ordeal, stating: "She stole that moment from me. I will never get that again. I was so embarrassed. I couldn’t even enjoy the rest of the graduation."
The principal had reportedly informed the students and their families that clapping and cheering as the diplomas were handed out was forbidden.
To further this, the students were allegedly informed by the principal that they were to "walk with style" as they made their way across the stage.
Because Abdur-Rahman made the audience laugh, Mesi decided that she shouldn't receive her diploma on the stage.
"I understood the rules because I was saying 'shh' in the video. Do not say anything because I want my diploma. I knew and understood what we were supposed to do," Abdur-Rahman continued.
The family later spoke to the Philadelphia Inquirer where they revealed that it's their belief that the 17-year-old was targeted, as other students had waved and blown kisses from the stage.
The family stated that they remained quiet as she walked across the stage, but it was the reaction of others who got her into trouble.
Renee Haniyah Reid, Abdul-Rahman’s grandmother, said: "With the climate in the city of Philadelphia, these kids have lost so much. The dynamics have changed. And my granddaughter wants to be an entrepreneur, if she’s not going to college, this was her last walk. They told me, 'oh, well, she’ll get over it.'"
"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," Abdur-Rahman continued.
Two other girls had their degrees withheld from them during the ceremony due to members audience cheering and clapping.
As reported by the New York Post, the school released a statement following the backlash it received over the incident.
"The District does not condone the withholding of earned diplomas based on family members cheering for their graduates," the statement read. "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."
The assistant superintendent contacted Abdur-Rahman and her family the following day to apologize for the principal's behavior.
All three girls were handed their diplomas following the conclusion of the ceremony.
