Principal Harris on MHS graduation: Behave or else

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
May 19, 2004
Meridian High School's graduating seniors better behave themselves during commencement ceremonies Friday or they may not receive their diplomas.
Principal R.D. Harris said seniors who violate graduation rules including no sudden student outbursts must complete 15 hours of community service before receiving their diploma.
Meridian High School's graduation is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at the school's Ray Stadium.
Meridian School Superintendent Sylvia Autry said the rules were established in response to undignified behavior that has plagued graduation ceremonies the past few years.
Graduation rules prohibit seniors from gesturing to the crowd during commencement ceremonies, dancing on their way to the podium, drawing undue attention to themselves and creating any other form of outburst.
Harris said students simply should receive their diplomas, shake hands and walk away with a measure of pride and dignity.
Besides the student rules, Harris said people attending graduation should not bring balloons, flowers, noisemakers, drugs or alcohol. They also should not yell or make noises as names are called.
Harris, who outlined the student rules at the Meridian School Board meeting Monday and the Meridian City Council meeting Tuesday, said that he hopes the public will support the senior class.
Harris said Mayor John Robert Smith has promised to help by providing police officers in the stands for crowd control.
School board members applauded Harris' efforts to make graduation a dignified occasion. Said school board member B.J. Barrett: "It's about time."