Special Ceremony
Honors High School Students
Barred From
Graduation For Decrying Homophobia
by 365Gay.com from
the Web, June 13, 2005
Howell, Michigan -- Three high
school students who were told they could not attend graduation ceremonies after
painting over graffiti that said "God hates fags" gathered on a football field
this weekend for their own ceremony.
Dozens of students, including those who had just been given their diplomas at
the official ceremony, rushed to the field to take part in the gradation.
They were joined by a number of teachers.
Even the class valedictorian gave the speech he had just given.
The three students were told they could not be part of the school graduation
last month after they, and another student -- a sophomore, painted out the
homophobic slur in front of their school and then replaced it by spray painting
the word "Love".
No one knows who was responsible for the anti-gay attack.
"We knew we had to paint over it," said senior Shayna Kamilar. "It had to
happen." She was joined by three friends as other students looked on.
But, not content with replacing the slur with the word "love" they repainted the
word dozens of times on school property.
School officials accused the four of vandalism and barred them from taking part
in the graduation ceremony. More than 200 students protested the
punishment but the school would not rescind it.
The parents of the trio planned to have a small ceremony in the backyard of one
of the students. But, then classmates said they wanted to attend.
Several teachers also expressed an interest. So many people wanted to go
the special ceremony was moved to the football field.
One teacher served as master of ceremonies while another handed out diplomas for
the three.
"Although I'm going to miss the three of you very much ... we know you're going
to make this world a better place," teacher Amanda Pringle said from a makeshift
podium. "I realize how fortunate I was to have them as students and to now
call them friends."
In a surprise move, a day before the event the school the superintendent called
to make sure the seniors have caps, gowns and yearbooks. The school
photographer even recorded the event for free.
Vinnie Mascola, one of the three students said it was the best graduation he
could have had -- even though he missed the official one.
"I 'm sad that I missed it, but when it comes down to it, I'll have a better
memory of graduation than other kids in my class."
The third student, Derrick Webber, said: "I look back, and it's a part of
my life that if I could take back, I wouldn't. It's something that I'll
remember for the rest of my life. Someday I'll be able to tell my children
with pride that I stood up for what I believe in and I hope one day you'll do
the same."
The nearby Ann Arbor chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and
Gays gave the three students certificates recognizing their "spirit of justice."
PFLAG has approached the Howell Public Schools about setting up a diversity
program.
The school district is considering the offer but says the punishment meted out
to the students was not for removing the slur but for going too far in spray
painting other areas of the campus.
|
