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PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A Maine high school senior says he was denied his diploma because he bowed during graduation and blew a kiss to his mother.

Justin Denney was about to receive his Bonny Eagle High School diploma Friday when he pointed at friends and relatives.

Schools Superintendent Suzanne Lukas ordered him back to his seat. She tells the Portland Press Herald newspaper she was enforcing behavior rules.

Justin's mother, Mary Denney, says her son's showboating didn't break any rules. She tells WMTW-TV "a kiss to your mom is not misbehavior." She wants an apology — and a diploma for her son.

The commencement at the Cumberland County Civic Center also was disrupted when a giant inflatable rubber duck and beach balls were thrown. One student was ejected.

Some parents want a review of commencement policies.

PurpleMustReign wrote:What the hell is wrong with people nowadays? This Superintendent is obviously on some sort of power trip and just wanted to make herself known. What a disgrace she is. This is one of the most disgusting stories that I have heard in awhile. I don't care if he moons the entire crowd and pisses on the stage, he should still get his diploma (and then after the ceremony they can disipline him). This woman is the shining example of what is wrong with the world nowadays: Too many people with too much power that don't know how to use it. I hope she gets dismissed, and I hope she has to go on national TV to apologize and give the kid his hard earned diploma.

glg wrote: I've heard about rules like this. Supposed to be to prevent kids from "ruining" the ceremony. I wonder if they actually had a problem in that district in the past or the superintendent just read too many stories about them on the internet

We didn't even get our diplomas when we walked in HS. They just gave us the folders. We got the actual paper when we turned in our gowns afterward. They also let people walk that were short just a couple credits and planned to finish in summer school. Same thing in college, no paper when we walked, got it later. I even got a letter a week or two before graduation saying I wouldn't get the paper until I paid an outstanding parking ticket.

jackal wrote:sounds like your typical knee jerk rush to judgement call by people trying to make everyone happy.

You can't live in a bubble and make everyone happy IMO. School boards and adminstrators need to focus on education
and leave politics to the politicans IMO.

VikingMachine wrote:Pretty stupid IMO. Blowing a kiss to your mom us no big deal and neither are some things like throwing you hat at the end...nooning the crowd and pissing on stage? I'd have you arrested for that and mail you the diploma.