Student Denied Diploma For Wearing Mexican Flag Over Graduation Gown

This is the moment a graduating senior was denied his diploma for wearing a Mexican flag over his gown:

Ever Lopez can be seen proudly crossing the podium at Asheboro High School in North Carolina, before he's stopped by the school's principal, Penny Crooks.

According to reports, he was told to remove the flag and as he started to do so the crowd began to cheer before realising what was going on.

Those cheers soon turned into boos which encouraged Lopez to keep his flag draped over his shoulders and leave the stage - as other members of staff pat him on the back.

Adolfo Hurtado, Mr Lopez's cousin, was filming the ceremony and said afterwards: "Sadly, he did not get the diploma. The teacher wants him to apologise - obviously he's not going to do that."

In another video, after the graduation ceremony, Mr Lopez's family members raised their concerns. Crooks tells them the parents can 'come back tomorrow' before the family are escorted out of the building.

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In a statement on the school's website, they explained they 'strongly support our students' expressions of their heritage in the appropriate time and place' but added that wearing a flag during graduation is a violation of the dress code.

The statement went on: "In the past two years we have allowed students to decorate their mortar boards as a nod to their individuality and creativity. We are very clear with students that this was the ONLY acceptable deviation from the standard cap and gown regalia.

"Unfortunately, we will now be reevaluating that decision for future senior classes in light of the situation that occurred last night."

The school went on to say it is continuing to work with the student and his family so he will receive his diploma, adding: "He has worked very hard and we commend him on this great achievement. We are confident in his abilities and we know he has a bright future ahead of him."

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In an update, Asheboro High School said that the incident had been 'misrepresented'. It went on: "The heart of the issue is the fact that the student did not follow the established dress code for the event and detracted from the importance and the solemnity of the ceremony.

"Our dress code is in place to ensure the dignity of the event is upheld and is fair to all students. Graduation is a milestone event and it is grossly unfair for one individual to diminish this event by violating the dress code."

Outlining some 'facts' the school wrote: "This incident is not about the Mexican flag. Students were encouraged to express their identity by decorating their mortar boards. A number of students followed the protocol and had the Mexican flag and other representations appropriately displayed during the ceremony."

Topics: Viral, News, Education

Rebecca Shepherd

I'm Becky - a journalist at LADbible. I graduated with a First Class BA in Journalism before going on to cover criminal court cases, medical tribunals and breaking news for the national media - which inevitably and eventually became as glum as it sounds. Can often be found rocking a bag for life - which I made a 'thing' way before Rihanna. You can contact me at [email protected]

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