While we've all heard sad tales of high school students not being allowed to graduate at the last moment because of senior pranks gone wrong, a student losing his diploma for blowing a kiss to his mother as he walked the commencement stage has to be a first.But that's what happened to Justin Denney, a Bonny Eagle High senior from Standish, Maine. Apparently this show of long-distance affection violated a code of conduct that Denney and the other students had signed.
The school district's superintendent, who was presiding over the ceremony, made the snap decision not to give Denney his diploma and send him back to his seat empty-handed.
You can watch Justin Denney's "conduct violation" after the jump, and decide for yourself if the superintendent's harsh ruling had any merit.
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Wednesday 17 June
By brandon
this superintendent is just another person in power, abusing that power, for ridiculous and outdated reasons. It's his mom..r u kidding me?
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Wednesday 17 June
By Mahealani Gomez
All I can say is UNBELIEVABLE AND SHAME ON HER!!!!! The school district needs to be taught some kind of a lesson. I'm sure if it were her daughter or son this would not have happened! Maine is a place I wanted to visit at one time but no longer have that desire as I noticed that the young man was one of color as I am. I wonder if that had something to do with it! H-m-m-m-m
Wednesday 17 June
By Chris
I would sue him for humiliation, pain and suffering. This bitch is another person who is using thier petty rank as if they were powerrul. i would sue, and he did nothing wrong. but damn, was he sexy ass hell!!!
Wednesday 17 June
By Christina
ONLY IN AMERICA!~ Another idiot on a power trip...not being allowed to send your mother a kiss on one of the most memorable days of your life? That person should be fired!
Wednesday 17 June
By Lisa
your right on the money he was just recognizing his MOM for being there. This BITCH needs to be fired!!!!!! YEAH I SAID IT WHAT R U GONNA DO KICK ME OFF MY COMPUTER!!!!!
Wednesday 17 June
By C SWEENEY
I will have agree with you this is really stupid and petty. What point was proven. Was it proven that this person got a rise out of pushing her authority? So damn stupid.
Wednesday 17 June
By Joel Becker
I somewhat agree, but respectfully disagree on this case with the others. The kiss was fine, the pointing was over the top. I am sick and tired these days of the parents that HOOP AND carry on so loud that the next kid's name cannot be heard...THAT ALSO ruins that kid's graduation. It is time we get back to the fact that graduation is an ACADEMIC and NOT SPORTS event!!! But, maybe with some groups they carry on soloud because no one else could complete high school in their family? Pointing and showing things on stage incites the guests in the stands to hoop it up, and this is why he was denied. Not for the kiss, BUT for the pointing and "attitude" that lessens the event for the other SERIOUS kids, I agree with the school board!
Wednesday 17 June
By Colleen
i agree with most of the comments on here... I would not look at this video with humiliation but I would be PROUD of making the correct kind of stand. In a society where we NEED more parental involvement and at an age where teens usually rebel against it and guys don't often show affection in private to parents let alone on stage as a thanks< i think he out to be commended for his actions and the superintendent needs to be retrained and disciplined.. I have two teenage boys, and I think that was a great move... DON"T be ashamed.. you'll come out on top when they realize how dumb they were in their actions... look back and be proud and don't change a thing you did... CONGRATS!!!! to you and your great family.
Wednesday 17 June
By reidgator
While the Super's response seems over the top, Denny is NOT an innocent victim. He agreed asked to keep the celebration in check and he didn't. You say the kiss was "no big deal"? I would agree, however, our legal system does not allow for much leeway here. It was not fair for the Super to have to referee the actions of each student and then decide if their actions were OK. NOte that the other students were able to simply walk across teh stage with no superfluous activity. Denny should have done the same. He chose to "ad lib", get "cute" and he paid a heavy price. The real problem are the (*#(*#& who like to take things too far (such as beach balls, etc), but, again, our legal system does not allow for that distinction
Wednesday 17 June
By mike
Rules are rules either follow them like you agreed to or don't and not recieve your diploma
Wednesday 17 June
By Lena
I agree. What the hell is the big deal? These kids graduated high school life is about to kick off for them. And the parents.. they are the ones that got their child through school. Not the friggin teacher and sure as hell not the superintendent.
Wednesday 17 June
By billoxii
If all 400 graduates screwed off as did Brandon
it would be chaos. The superintendent acted appropriately. Brandon's mom should back off and explain to her son that his behavior though not extreme was inappropriate in view of his signing the contract to abide by certain behavior. Brandon was just seeking attention...he got it...been to enough graduations to know what its like
Wednesday 17 June
By Barbi
The stupid-intendent is a major jerk who obviously hated his own mother and wants to take it out on everybody else. What an ASS!
Wednesday 17 June
By Chris
What is it that people don't understand about rules? Why is it OK to violate rules that everybody knows and has agreed upon? But NOOOOOOOOOO. It's a kid's graduation, so how dare we hold people to the rules? Because you know, once leeway is given, people, and especially teenagers, NEVER push the boundaries and cause problems. Yah, you complainers would be the first to want to sue the school district if they let something happen that you felt was inappropriate. Just follow the rules agreed upon, or don't show up. Otherwise, shut up if you get busted for intentionally breaking the rules.
Sunday 28 June
By kuzy54
we left the dictarship in the east bloc countries. this is the usa.
Wednesday 17 June
By Joani Walsh
Totally agree... that Superintendent displayed lack of very basic decision making skill and clearly does NOT belong in a leadership position in that school disrict. Watching the video, this was not a whooping-hollaring, distracting, or disrespectful abuse of graduation ceremony (which I agree can take away from the ceremony or from hearing other kids' honor, which is probably the point of the student contract)- it was personal, joyful, quiet appreciation to his family. When my son graduated from the U.S. Air Foce Academy, one of his fellow cadets engaged the presiding PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES in a gleeful wrestle pose which the President sportingly joined in on. Most everyone chuckled, the graduate received his diploma and congratulatory hand shake from the President, the next cadet in line had her walk across the stage, no problem. I can't even imagine how this Superintendent disciplines REAL issues... or does she??
Wednesday 17 June
By Coop
Boy dont we love to condemn. Who knows what the kid was thinking ..or the super. probly couldve been handled differently. no big deal
Wednesday 17 June
By Jean
If this had happen back in 1962, my dad would have walked up on the stage & kicked the supertent backside right then & there,
Wednesday 17 June
By Mandy
I cant belive this lady she makes me sick. Its his MOM. She is unbeliveable and if it was me I would have thrown the biggest fit on that stage he should have grabed his diploma anyways.
Wednesday 17 June
By blackhawk169
this has got to be the assnine supper. I have ever heard of please don't blame all of Main for one losusy person