Valedictorian denied diploma for saying 'hell' in speech

[Prick]

An Oklahoma high school valedictorian who is about to head to university on a full scholarship has been denied her diploma after using the word "hell" in her commencement speech.

In her speech Kaitlin Nootbaar referenced the fact she has changed her mind several times during her high school career about what she wants to do with her life.

After switching between wanting to be a nurse, then a veterinarian, Nootbaar said she now replies "How the hell do I know?" when asked what she plans to do.In the written version she submitted to the school administration ahead of the ceremony, "heck" was used instead of "hell.

"The line, which was similar to one from a speech in the film "Eclipse: The Twilight Saga" got a laugh from the audience, her father David Nootbaar told local news station KFOR-TV.But when Nootbaar when to collect her diploma from Prague High School, no one was laughing.

"He said 'your diploma's right here but you ain't getting it. Close the door, we've got a problem,'" her father said.The young woman, who has received straight-As all through high school, resulting in a 4.0 grade average, was told she had to write a letter of apology for using the word "hell" in her speech, if she wanted her diploma.

In the written version she submitted to the school administration ahead of the ceremony, "heck" was used instead of "hell."Nootbaar's father said Kaitlin doesn't feel she should be required to apologize, and her family is supporting her decision.

"She was in every (extra) curricular activity, she's been with the Kiwanis, with the bank on the bank boards. If there's anything to do, she does it," her father said.He added: "She's excelled beyond anything I would expect of her, being my child.

"It isn't clear whether Kaitlin will be able to start college as planned, without the diploma in hand.Local school board Superintendent Rick Martin declined to comment to the media."This matter is confidential and we can't publicly say anything about it," he told KFOR-TV.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/valedictorian-denied-diploma-for-saying-hell-in-speech-1.922042

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[Transient]

That is fucked up. ;/Waving://

 

[RAWD]

Puritanical right-wingers.

I said H-E-double-hockey-sticks in a b-school presentation about 20 years ago in Chicago. There were gasps in the audience.

 

[DonCorleo]

Them Mormons don't give you a break eh!

 

[papasmerf]

I agree that this is much ado about nothing.

She should just stop being an attention whore and either write the letter for and say she is sorry for submitting an inaccurate draft of her speech. Or get a job shoveling shit. She seems good at that.

 

[Coxwell]

Is she 18 yet?
If so, she should come up here and earn some money before going to university. :wink2:

 

[tboy]

I agree that this is much ado about nothing.

She should just stop being an attention whore and either write the letter for and say she is sorry for submitting an inaccurate draft of her speech. Or get a job shoveling shit. She seems good at that.

I tend to agree....I don't think it's so much that she used hell, but she changed her speech. It might have been an honest mistake but a mistake none the less and she should write the apology letter......

But then again, if you quote those fricken movies, that just shows you just how stupid you really are lol......

 

[BEER]

I agree that this is much ado about nothing.

She should just stop being an attention whore and either write the letter for and say she is sorry for submitting an inaccurate draft of her speech. Or get a job shoveling shit. She seems good at that.

I think her father is the one making her out to be an attention whore.

Just saying.

 

[Maurice Boscorelli]

Christ just apologize and move on with your life. Even if she doesn't mean it.

 

[Jesus Quintana]

She should just claim that she said "Fuddle duddle" and be done with it.

 

[SillyGirl]

This proves that book-smarts and common sense do not always go together. When speaking in public it is very important to know your audience...Oklahoma is a very conservative place. While I think the school is over-reacting by withholding her diploma, she should just write her apology and be done with it.

Given the comments from the father, however, I doubt that will happen. More likely there will be a lawsuit, probably claiming infringement of her first-amendment rights, making it literally a federal case. :roll:

 

[Coxwell]

I don't think she should apologize if she did nothing wrong, what kind of lesson is that? That conservatives are right? Pun intended.
Stand up for yourself instead of submitting to a bully. :good:

 

[God]

Why can't she start her college as planned. The diploma is just a piece of paper. All her stats and marks should be recorded into a computer program.

 

[HOF]

In most instances the diploma must be submitted prior to actually starting classes. If one is entering as a mature student over 21, then the diploma is not always required. High school transcripts are usually submitted too.

Much ado about nothing, not to her, but she should have realized that the officials would pull a hard line.

I say write an apology and afterwards with diploma and transcripts in hand, tell them to go fuck-a-mormon!

 

[Code Red]

I say write an apology and afterwards with diploma and transcripts in hand, tell them to go fuck-a-mormon!

That would be my same thoughts. But should she have fuck you Mormons in writing :wink2:

 

[tboy]

I don't think she should apologize if she did nothing wrong, what kind of lesson is that? That conservatives are right? Pun intended.
Stand up for yourself instead of submitting to a bully. :good:

Now normally I'd agree that one shouldn't apologize if they did nothing wrong, but in this case she explicitly did. She submitted a speech for approval, then changed that speech to include hell instead of heck. Now yeah, it's a minor point, but if the school has rules against profanity in the speeches, then well, she should apologize......

I'm not sure what her ultimate plans are for a career, but in three of my previous positions I had to write up reports, quotes, ad copy and have them approved by my superiors prior to submitting them to print, the customer, or for distribution. I couldn't make one change, even one word without prior approval (due to legal ramifications). This is just the starting point for her, she shouldn't "learn" that she can do whatever she wants against her superiors (in this case, the school administrators).

IMO the parents are just making things worse. I think they must be the type to support your kids no matter what, right or wrong. Did she submit one form of her speech for approval? Yes. Did she make changes to that speech? Yes...the parents should say to her: write the apology letter since you obviously made a change.

 

[LickingGravity]

Since when is the word hell really profane. Both sides need to lighten up here, at least she has an excuse because of her age. What is their excuse? Stupidity? It's idiots like this that give being a smidgen right of center a bad name.
Did baz grow there?

 

[Coxwell]

That's how you change what's profane, by using the word. She should be commended for trying to loosen up some tight thinking. :YMAPPLAUSE:

 

[HOF]

Okay, I'll ask!

1. What college is she attending?
2. Does she require life skills training?
3. Does she require some extra spending money?

HmmmmmmSugar baby!

 

[tboy]

Since when is the word hell really profane. Both sides need to lighten up here, at least she has an excuse because of her age. What is their excuse? Stupidity? It's idiots like this that give being a smidgen right of center a bad name.
Did baz grow there?

I'd tend to agree but I don't think that really is the point....the point is, she submitted something for prior approval then chose (accidentally or on purpose) to change it. And while most of us agree that hell isn't a bad expletive, to some, it's worse than mutherfucker.....and just like politicians, when speaking in public you have to watch what you say.......