Philadelphia High School For Girls Principal Replaced After Withholding Diplomas From Graduates Whose Families Cheered During Ceremony

Philadelphia High School For Girls Principal Replaced After Withholding Diplomas From Graduates Whose Families Cheered During Ceremony

A principal at a Pennsylvania school is currently out of a job for denying students their certificates.

As previously reported, last month, the leader of Philadelphia High School for Girls, Lisa Mesi, came under fire after she withheld diplomas from two or more graduates.

Lisa Mesi

Apparently, Lisa Mesi, who’d been serving as the academy’s chief since 2019, made the controversial decision due to the young ladies (allegedly) not adhering to the no-outburst rules that were put in place for the ceremony.

According to 17-year-old Hafsah Abdul-Rahman, Lisa Mesi told the students that their loved ones wouldn’t be able to “cheer” or even “clap” for them when they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas.

Out of mere excitement, teens Hafsah Abdul-Rahman and Saleemah Burch were said to have done the “griddy dance” and “flipped their hair,” which prompted comical reactions from the crowd.

Hafsah Abdul-Rahman

Because of this, Mesi forbade the retrieval of their diplomas amid the event. Hafsah Abdul-Rahman shared in an interview,

“[Principal Mesi] stole that moment from me. I will never get that again.”

She later added in the conversation:

“I understood the rules because I was saying ‘shh’ in the video. [I said,] ‘Do not say nothing because I want my diploma.’ I knew and understood what we were supposed to do.”

Abdul-Rahman concluded by mentioning fellow students who were (seemingly) given their recognitions, even after “waving” and “blowing kisses.”

Additionally, she expressed that the humiliation and failure to obtain her certificate on behalf of her late sister took away the joy from the special occasion.

Principal Lisa Mesi and Hafsah Abdul-Rahman

The School District of Philadelphia said in a statement:

“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.”

However, the Girls’ High Alumnae Association contrasted the District’s sentiments by standing with Mesi. They said,

“Principal Mesi clearly communicated the guidelines and regulations for the ceremony with an added dose of warmth and humor.” 

Established in 1848 the Philadelphia High School for Girls has long been known for its conservative beliefs.

Janis Butler has been announced as the “substitute principal,” and it isn’t clear if Mesi’s termination was by choice or force.

What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below!

[1,2]