« Whoops | Main | 911 For Cell Phones »
May 19, 2005
Pregnant Student Walks
Pregnant student defies graduation banA pregnant student who was banned from graduation at her Roman Catholic high school announced her own name and walked across the stage anyway at the close of the program.
Alysha Cosby's decision prompted cheers and applause Tuesday from many of her fellow seniors at St. Jude Educational Institute.
But her mother and aunt were escorted out of the church by police after Cosby headed back to her seat.
"I can't believe something like this is happening in 2005," said her mother, Sheila Cosby. "My daughter has been through a lot and I am proud of her. She deserved to walk, and she did."
...
"I worked hard throughout high school and I wanted to walk with my class," she said.
If I were making the decision for the school, I probably would have gone the other way with this one, depending on other circumstances. I certainly have respect for their decision though. It is a private religious school, and preventing public flouting of their morals is not something all that outlandish, discriminatory, or unexpected. I mean come on, it's a Catholic school! If I were the student or the student's family I surely would have respected the decision.
On the other hand...
Cosby was told in March that she could no longer attend school because of safety concerns, and her name was not listed in the graduation program.The father of Cosby's child, also a senior at the school, was allowed to participate in graduation.
I have a lot less respect for the school for not coming out and saying their reasons and instead coming up with some crap about "safety concerns." What, were they afraid she'd trip and fall down the stairs on the way up to the stage?
And I damn well have a lot less respect for the school for allowing the other culpable party to walk when his partner was not. He may not have a big pregnant belly, but he's just as responsible and should recieve the same punishment.
Number 2 Pencil has more.
Posted by illuminaria at May 19, 2005 05:45 PM
Comments
The question is how well the paternity was established to the knowledge of the school administration. Was it a rumor, an actual accusation on the girl's part, an admission on his part, and if so, to whom? Before we talk
about unequal treatment, we have to make sure
this isn't about a differential of evidence upon
which to base sanctions.
That said, if he came forward and admitted his
role to the administration, or some reliable witness, then he should absolutely have shared in the punishment.
Posted by: dweeb at June 2, 2005 12:46 PM