Philadelphia principal refuses to give student graduation certificate because of dance across stage

A Philadelphia high school graduate has spoken out after the principal reportedly refused to give her a diploma because she danced across the stage in celebration.

Hafsah Abdur-Rahman, 17, was thrilled to participate in the ceremony on June 9 with her classmates at Philadelphia High School for Girls.

Her name was called and she did a viral dance move called the “Griddy” on her way to getting her high school diploma.

But the director reportedly refused to hand the teen the certificate and instructed her to move on before putting it back in the basket.

Abdur-Rahman said the headmaster had warned students that their families should not cheer or clap when they walked on stage and claims it was the laughter that led to her being rejected.

Hafsah Abdur-Rahman, 17, was excited to participate in the ceremony with her classmates at Philadelphia High School for Girls on June 9

Her name was called out and she did a viral dance move called ‘Griddy’ on her way to getting her high school diploma

The shocking moment was captured on video and shared on Twitter, where it has been viewed nearly five million times.

It shows Abdur-Rahman, dressed all in white and holding yellow flowers, dancing as she approaches the principal who is holding her diploma.

But the headmaster extends her arm and appears to be gesturing for her to sit down before the disappointed teen walks away.

And the director then put her diploma back in a basket next to her.

“She stole that moment from me,” Abdur-Rahman told the local television channel WPVI. “I’ll never get that again.”

She said the moment was in honor of her sister who was killed by a stray bullet in 2014 at age 15 and was never able to graduate.

The student cried after the rejection and said she was “so embarrassed.”

“I couldn’t even enjoy the rest of graduation,” she added

“I understood the rules because I said “shh” in the video. Don’t say anything because I want my diploma.

“I knew and understood what we had to do.”

Abdur-Rahman said the headmaster told her she could not receive her diploma because of the laughter after her dance move.

Abdur-Rahman, dressed all in white and holding yellow flowers, dances as she approaches the principal who holds her diploma

But the headmaster extends her arm and suggests she sit down before the disappointed teen walks away

And the director then put her diploma back in a basket next to her

She said, “If they thought I shouldn’t be doing the Griddy across the stage and not doing the Girls’ High traditions, no one should be able to wave or blow kisses or do period signs because I feel like it’s the same. I think that’s unfair.’

Abdur-Rahman claimed that the school’s assistant superintendent approached her and her mother to apologize for the incident.

Her mother Jaszmine Reid said, “It’s 2023, a lot has happened. These girls have been through COVID together. Our kids don’t even live to go to high school.

“I understand that traditions and rules are set for a reason, and we’re not saying they should be broken, but maybe they should also be revised.”

Abdur-Rahman’s grandmother was furious with the director over the incident and demanded a public apology.

Renee Hadiyah Reid said, “They told the graduates their families couldn’t say anything when they received their diplomas. They also told us in the audience not to do it. Everyone respected that.

“How can you punish these young girls for something in public? Anyway, my GrandLuv went across the stage and did a little shimmy. We saw that it was delayed when she came to the director.’

The student cried after the rejection, saying she was “so embarrassed.”

Abdur-Rahman said the headmaster warned students that their families could not cheer or clap when they walked on stage and claims it was the laughter that led to her being rejected.

She added, “This lady thought it was okay to PUBLICLY humiliate my GrandLuv and 2 other young ladies!! HOW WAS THIS OK?? These girls worked hard for these diplomas!! This was NOT OK!!

“These young ladies may NEVER see a graduation again!! Why would she do this? I will not stop until we get a PUBLIC APOLOGY!! This was hurtful and NOT OK!!

“I am NOT divorced from cancel culture, but I want her CANCELED!!!”

Abdur-Rahman said that three other girls also did not get their diplomas on stage, but they did after the ceremony.

Saleemah Burch, 18, said her diploma was denied on stage because she made a gesture to which the guests responded.

“When they called Saleemah’s name, my youngest son, we had our hands together and just put our hands in the air,” said her mother Delsa Burch.

“No one made a sound.”

A clip of the incident involving Abdur-Rahman went viral on social media and was met with many comments.

A clip of the incident involving Abdur-Rahman went viral on social media and was met with many comments

One user wrote: ‘My blood is boiling. They stole this girl’s big moment, both for her and her family. If this had happened to one of my children, I would have run on stage.”

Another added, “I don’t know if that was my kid or not, I would have got up and started berating that woman.” Horrible!!’

A third said: ‘She didn’t do anything wrong. It is graduation and a great achievement. We don’t celebrate! I would have done more things to make the crowd smile and laugh if they refused me my diploma and a photo. Bad judgment about the administration.’

The Philadelphia school district issued a statement saying, “The district does not condone the withholding of graduations based on family members cheering for their graduates.

“We apologize to all the families and graduates affected by this and we are continuing to investigate this matter to prevent this from happening in the future.”

Philadelphia High School for Girls lists Lisa Mesi as principal and Dailymail.com has reached out to the school for comment.