Philadelphia High School for Girls recently came under fire after its principal denied a graduate her diploma after the student danced across the stage on her way to receive the certificate on Friday, June 16, at the Kimmel Center.This year, students were given a prior warning for their graduation ceremony that their families would not be allowed to cheer, clap, or shout when they would walk across the stage to accept their diplomas.The 18-year-old student, Hafsah Abdul-Rahman, was aware of the restriction, and as she was waiting for her name to be called, she looked at her family and put a finger on her lips as a reminder. While she was walking across the stage, the graduating student silently, but with style, did the Griddy dance with a smile on her face.Dr. Malinda S. Smith@MalindaSmithThe theft of joy.The Philadelphia High School for Girlsis in the news for misunderstanding, stealing, the joy of education.“She [the principal, Principal Lisa Mesi] stole that moment from me,” said Hafsah Abdur-Rahman. “I will never get that again.”14The theft of joy.The Philadelphia High School for Girlsis in the news for misunderstanding, stealing, the joy of education.“She [the principal, Principal Lisa Mesi] stole that moment from me,” said Hafsah Abdur-Rahman. “I will never get that again.”https://t.co/bDx89IzAmGHowever, when she stood in front of the principal, Lisa Mesi, and reached for her diploma, Mesi rebuffed her and said:“You’re not getting your diploma because you made the crowd chuckle.”Twitter user Marc Lamont Hill shared the video clip of the upsetting moment and wrote that Philadelphia High School for Girls should be ashamed of themselves as they humiliated Hafsah for nothing.Marc Lamont Hill@marclamonthillThis young woman, Hafsah Abdur-Rahman, was denied her high school diploma for dancing on stage. Philadelphia High School for Girls should be ashamed of themselves. They humiliated this young woman. For NOTHING.348205027This young woman, Hafsah Abdur-Rahman, was denied her high school diploma for dancing on stage. Philadelphia High School for Girls should be ashamed of themselves. They humiliated this young woman. For NOTHING. https://t.co/x60EaIgEmIPhiladelphia High School for Girls garners backlash onlinePhiladelphia High School for Girls is known for upholding its proud traditions of 175 years, including its graduation ceremony, where students dress in white and carry flowers. However, when Hafsah Abdul-Rahman's grandmother shared the video of Hafsah’s walk across the stage to receive her diploma, people had a mixed reaction to the school's traditions.Some people defended the high school and argued that rules are rules, and the high school had its traditions to maintain, so administrations stuck to them. However, many criticized the principal and the school for complying with an outdated rule and slammed the high school for being insensitive to Black culture.Mr. Antoine 🇭🇹@_thiskidisillDespicable behavior…by the Principal & Philadelphia High School for Girls. twitter.com/marclamonthill…Marc Lamont Hill@marclamonthillThis young woman, Hafsah Abdur-Rahman, was denied her high school diploma for dancing on stage. Philadelphia High School for Girls should be ashamed of themselves. They humiliated this young woman. For NOTHING.35061This young woman, Hafsah Abdur-Rahman, was denied her high school diploma for dancing on stage. Philadelphia High School for Girls should be ashamed of themselves. They humiliated this young woman. For NOTHING. https://t.co/x60EaIgEmIDespicable behavior…by the Principal & Philadelphia High School for Girls. twitter.com/marclamonthill…Serpico@Serpico03975368Philadelphia High School for Girls@phs4girls Why is your principal a monster, who lacks passion, empathy and a brain. @PHLschoolboard you need to fire Lisa Mesi who has no right leading a school5Philadelphia High School for Girls@phs4girls Why is your principal a monster, who lacks passion, empathy and a brain. @PHLschoolboard you need to fire Lisa Mesi who has no right leading a schoolIrma R. McQueen@McQueenIrmaWhat is wrong with a celebratory dance? It was very short and tasteful and she was fully clothed. Shame on you Philadelphia High School for Girls! twitter.com/marclamonthill…Marc Lamont Hill@marclamonthillThis young woman, Hafsah Abdur-Rahman, was denied her high school diploma for dancing on stage. Philadelphia High School for Girls should be ashamed of themselves. They humiliated this young woman. For NOTHING.351525063This young woman, Hafsah Abdur-Rahman, was denied her high school diploma for dancing on stage. Philadelphia High School for Girls should be ashamed of themselves. They humiliated this young woman. For NOTHING. https://t.co/x60EaIgEmIWhat is wrong with a celebratory dance? It was very short and tasteful and she was fully clothed. Shame on you Philadelphia High School for Girls! twitter.com/marclamonthill…Scott Weinberg@scottEmovienerdPhiladelphia High School for Girls is one of the most reputable schools in the state. easily. to treat graduating seniors like this is rotten. you can take a ceremony seriously and still let young people have fun.384Philadelphia High School for Girls is one of the most reputable schools in the state. easily. to treat graduating seniors like this is rotten. you can take a ceremony seriously and still let young people have fun.Sonic Doom@JoeyDoomsday@marclamonthill a graduation is supposed to be a celebration. personally, I think "decorum" in an event like that is stupid especially when it's involving kids and if they feel they don't want that type of thing or people cheering, they should just mail out all the diplomas and call it a day.201751@marclamonthill a graduation is supposed to be a celebration. personally, I think "decorum" in an event like that is stupid especially when it's involving kids and if they feel they don't want that type of thing or people cheering, they should just mail out all the diplomas and call it a day.Nico the Free⚡️🧡@nicothefree@marclamonthill Even if it was "against the rules," that was the most innocent little dance she could've done. Seems weirdly strict to not give someone their diploma for something so silly.3196@marclamonthill Even if it was "against the rules," that was the most innocent little dance she could've done. Seems weirdly strict to not give someone their diploma for something so silly.Kimberly Chandler@cozzmo73@marclamonthill @MsPackyetti Ridiculous….The principal needs to answer for that..🤬51914@marclamonthill @MsPackyetti Ridiculous….The principal needs to answer for that..🤬💔Richard Lewis@Rich8198@marclamonthill Utterly absurd to admonish this young woman for celebrating her accomplishment. She did nothing harmful or offensive. Good lord.1001@marclamonthill Utterly absurd to admonish this young woman for celebrating her accomplishment. She did nothing harmful or offensive. Good lord.MaddMaxx🪶@onlyonechubbs@marclamonthill This is wrong. Talking about behavior is not tolerated.. She was respectful and still kept a level of class but the teacher made it about herself when she wanted to have her step aside. The girl put the work in and deserves that victory lap and she stole that from her. Tyrants 🤮155421@marclamonthill This is wrong. Talking about behavior is not tolerated.. She was respectful and still kept a level of class but the teacher made it about herself when she wanted to have her step aside. The girl put the work in and deserves that victory lap and she stole that from her. Tyrants 🤮Hafsah-Abdul Rahman eventually received her diplomaThe Philadelphia School District apologized for the incident and said:“The district does not condone the withholding of earned diplomas based on family members cheering for their graduates. We apologize to all the families and graduates who were impacted and are further looking into this matter to avoid it happening in the future.”Hafsah-Abdul Rahman and her mother, Jaszmine Reid felt that Hafsah was targeted for her little dance. According to them, other students blew kisses and waved, or made other silent gestures while walking across the stage. She added that before the ceremony began, an assistant principal told the students to walk the stage in style.The graduation ceremony was especially significant to Hafsah, who had endured health challenges for a year. She shared that collecting her diploma did not just feel like it was for her, but also for her late sister Aisha, who was killed by gun violence at the age of 14 in 2014.However, she was stunned when the principal at Philadelphia High School for Girls denied her diploma. She shared that she kept walking but felt humiliated. Hafsah said:“You only get one moment like that, and it was taken away from me.”Hafsah eventually received her diploma after one of her family members confronted another official of the high school, who also initially refused to hand it over.Meanwhile, Keziah Ridgeway, a graduate of Philadelphia High School for Girls and a current district social studies teacher, added that, in a time where there are so many children dying, and not graduating, those who are able to graduate, should be celebrated.