News: Principal cuts off salutatorian's graduation speech

Red

Quote:

Wharton High salutatorian Harold Shaw Jr. spent weeks writing a graduation speech he hoped would inspire his classmates to pursue their lifelong dreams.

Unfortunately, his farewell address to the Wharton Class of 2013 will likely be remembered more for the remarks he didn't get a chance to make.

Wharton Principal Brad Woods pulled the plug on Shaw about halfway through his speech at the graduation ceremony in the Florida State Fairgrounds' Expo Hall on Monday.

Shaw, who graduated with a 7.31 grade point average, was forced to sit down and did not receive his diploma at the ceremony like the other graduates.

He was asked to leave the Expo Hall after the graduation, Shaw said. He was escorted out by two Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies who worked security at the event.

Though he was allowed to pick up his diploma at Wharton two days later, Shaw, 17, is still not sure why he was cut off.

...

Shaw believes it may be retaliation for a short film he produced and posted on his personal Facebook page to draw attention what he described as unsanitary conditions in the boys' bathrooms at the high school.

"I think it's revenge," Shaw said during an interview at his attorney's office Wednesday.

...

The first draft, which included a reference to the unsanitary rest room conditions, was rejected, Shaw said. He was asked to make changes in a second draft. The final draft submitted in mid-May was approved.

On May 21 Shaw posted a 3 minute video on his Facebook page to draw attention to the bathroom conditions at Wharton. The video clip highlighted bathrooms with broken toilet paper dispensers and toilets without seats.

Shaw said Woods told him to take down the online video if he wanted to give his salutatory address at graduation and he complied.

...

On Monday afternoon, Shaw's family and friends were in the crowd with a camera to videotape Shaw's address.

The students applauded and cheered intermittently while Shaw in a deep, loud voice delivered his speech.

Woods was seated on stage next to Hillsborough County Schools Superintendant Mary Ellen Elia, several school board members and other Wharton administrators. As Shaw reached the midway portion of his speech, Woods stood up and made a slashing motion with his hand to shut off the mike.

Woods stepped to an adjacent lectern, thanked Shaw, made a comment about respecting the right of free speech then asked Wharton valedictorian Allyson Bell to begin her address.

Shaw said he would like Woods to issue a public apology.

Shaw worked for four years to obtain the second highest GPA at Wharton High School to earn the right to give the speech, Parnell said.

"Mr. Woods' action was reprehensible," he said. "Harold will never get back that day or the memories he should have experienced."

Parnell said he planned to consult with Shaw's parents, Harold and Raquel Shaw.

"It's clear his civil rights have been violated," Parnell said. "We will meet with the family to determine what the next step will be."

Read the rest here.

Great message to send to the student by the principal. "Hey, I'm just getting you ready for the real world by cutting off your free speech rights before someone else does it!" And all over bathroom conditions. I mean, really?!

BlazingLovatic

Florida... Not surprised

Retro

That is a disgusting move by the principal. What's worse is that the bathroom conflict is only what is assumed to be the reason and the student was still not informed of why his speech was (wrongly) cut short, or why they delayed the delivery of his diploma.

A public apology is the least that principal should have to do.

Red

Quote:

Originally posted by Retro

That is a disgusting move by the principal. What's worse is that the bathroom conflict is only what is assumed to be the reason and the student was still not informed of why his speech was (wrongly) cut short, or why they delayed the delivery of his diploma.

I think it has more to do with the principal wanting to keep his ego assuaged and not wanting anyone to speak negatively in any way about the school, even if it's warranted. Remember, as it notes in the article, the student TRIED to make the poor bathroom conditions known for a while before the graduation, but was told to cut it out. The principal wants his school to appear as perfect as possible, and he doesn't want anyone ruining that by telling the truth.

THAT is what makes this story pathetic, even more than cutting off the speech.

Penk

I was expecting something much worse because all I could see in the title was "Principal cuts of salutatorian's..."

Principal sounds like an asshole. I mean over something petty like that?

Beatfreak

omg not Florida

This is really ****ed up

Kingfisher

Quote:

7.31 grade point average

how

Taste of Honey

Quote:

Originally posted by Kingfisher

how

Weighted GPA.