Valedictorian denied diploma

The valedictorian of Brooklyn's High School for Legal Studies was denied her diploma because she criticized the school in her graduation speech. Tiffany Schley, who's heading to Smith on a full scholarship, refuses to apologize, reports the New York Daily News.

Among her gripes: The school has had four principals in four years, overcrowded classes, a shortage of textbooks and other basic materials, unqualified teachers, unstable staffing and uncaring administrators who refused to meet with students to discuss the school's problems.

"They always want to keep the problems hush-hush, but what goes on in this school is real," said Tiffany, who was also the editor of the school newspaper, yearbook chairwoman and a member of the student council.

One teacher who attended the graduation said the audience was shocked by the speech.

"The administration was very nervous, but the students were definitely in support of her," the teacher said.

When Schley came to school yesterday to pick up her diploma with the rest of her classmates, she and her mother were told they had been disrespectful and were escorted out of the building.

It appears counter-intuitive to me that a school specializing in Legal Studies would use their power to coerce a citizen in recanting her expression. The whole point of the First Amendment was a guarantee that citizens (no matter what age) the right to critize (and even be disrespectful of) government (no matter what benefit they gained from that government). This young lady was well with-in her rights to use her time in whatever way she wished. I applaud her for using her time to stir the pot in hopes of helping underclassmen have a better experience. She could have had the attitude that says "Hey, I'm outta here and don't have to be bothered by these problems anymore." and walked away. Instead, she courageously confronted an issue that did not affect her and is getting hit with a high personal cost because of it.

The school's reaction to this young lady makes her case appear to be valid and propelled her ideas to a national level. Honestly, this makes the school look even worse. Had they just given her the diploma and ignored her comments, they would be out of the spotlight. Instead, they will now have to publicly change and some administrators will more than likely be encouraged to pursue other opportunities.