Students denied diplomas because of cheering say lawyer will take on case

GALESBURG, Ill. -- Five students denied diplomas after cheers erupted when their names were called at a central Illinois high school graduation emerged empty-handed Tuesday from a meeting with school administrators.

Their families said Peoria lawyer Jeffrey Green has volunteered to work on the case. He plans to send a letter to school officials this week, seeking an apology and the diplomas denied when cheers at the Galesburg High School graduation violated a school policy aimed at restoring commencement decorum.

The families met briefly with school officials, but they were again denied the keepsake diplomas.

School officials told the five female students and their parents Friday they would hand over the diplomas if they received apologies, even anonymously. But no one contacted the district to apologize for their actions during commencement, the families said.

Following the meeting, assistant superintendent Joel Estes declined to comment.

The students, who did officially graduate, and their parents say they will seek no punitive damages, even if school officials refuse to deliver the diplomas and the case goes to court.

"Nobody wants that. It's not about that," said Kelly Mixon, a friend of the families.

Honors student Caisha Gayles said she just wants to get her diploma and move on.

"It's just dumb. It's petty," Gayles said.

About a month before the May 27 graduation for 268 students, students and their parents had to sign a contract promising to act in a dignified way. Violators were warned they could be denied their keepsake diplomas and barred from an after-graduation party, but would still graduate and receive their high school transcripts.

The students denied the diplomas say school officials wanted them to track down the culprits. They say that is impossible, because they don't know who might have cheered in the crowd of about 2,000 people.

Some students and parents also have accused school officials of targeting students because of their race, saying four of the graduates who were denied diplomas were black and another is mixed race. Cheers also erupted for white students, they contend, but none were denied diplomas.

School officials deny allegations of racism, saying administrators who monitored the auditorium reported only disruptions they considered significant, and all turned in the same five names.