Chicago Student Booted From Graduation For Doing Split On Stage
Chicago high school graduate Tyvion Campbell says she was removed from her graduation ceremony and denied her diploma after performing a dance split on stage, despite having no policy against it.
Tyvion Campbell, 18, a graduating student at Chicago Tech Academy, waved to family and friends before dropping into a split during the ceremony held last month at the Harold Washington Cultural Center in Chicago, as New York Post reports.
While the crowd erupted in cheers, school administrators were not entertained. Campbell says they refused to hand over her diploma on stage.
The young woman, who graduated with a 3.5 grade point average and intends to pursue Business Administration at Georgia State University, said she was reprimanded following the incident.
Campbell recounted reaching for her diploma only to have it withheld. Initially confused, she thought officials had simply mixed up her name.
According to Campbell, Principal Zataya Shackelford told her she needed to think of a way to make up for what I’ve done, criticizing her for making the ceremony about herself rather than keeping it celebratory for everyone.
Campbell says she was escorted out of the venue, left in tears, and claims she still has not received her diploma. She described the experience as deeply disappointing and hurtful, preventing her from continuing with the rest of the graduation ceremony.
The student noted that she was disciplined despite the absence of any specific school policy prohibiting splits or dance moves on stage.
Chicago Tech Academy has been contacted for comment but has not responded.
Campbell is not the first graduate to spark controversy during commencement. Leen Hijaz, a senior at Clayton High School in North Carolina, was recently cut off mid-speech after using her platform to criticize immigration enforcement.
With information from New York Post
