Lancet Jades
06-01-2004, 02:17 PM
Grad Draws Criticism for Doing Back Flip
HOUMA, La. - The mother of an Ellender High graduate who landed in trouble after performing a back flip during his walk across the graduation stage said he should not have to do any extra labor to get his diploma.
Diane Carlos said her son Kevin's apology to Terrebonne Parish School Board members — and to the mother who missed hearing her sons name called due to the uproar following the back flip — is all the punishment she is willing to let school officials ask of him.
"You may have a few classmates that were upset, but the majority of the group cheered it," Carlos said in a prepared statement released Friday.
Many audience members at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center Tuesday night cheered and applauded, but school officials said some of Kevin's classmates were upset the stunt could eclipse their moment of recognition.
Following the flip, Assistant Principal Ronald Stoufflet called Carlos back to the stage, where he was directed to remain backstage until the ceremony concluded.
Originally, Kevin Carlos had agreed to let Principal Marilyn Schwartz hold his diploma as a punishment for the stunt until he apologized and completed work around the school. He had not yet received his diploma because graduates receive only a diploma cover during the ceremony and the actual document afterward.
His mother said Friday that apologies are enough. Contacted by The Courier newspaper in Houma, Schwartz said "I really thought all of this was resolved." She said if Diane Carlos feels the issue is not resolved, she needs to speak with school officials.
HOUMA, La. - The mother of an Ellender High graduate who landed in trouble after performing a back flip during his walk across the graduation stage said he should not have to do any extra labor to get his diploma.
Diane Carlos said her son Kevin's apology to Terrebonne Parish School Board members — and to the mother who missed hearing her sons name called due to the uproar following the back flip — is all the punishment she is willing to let school officials ask of him.
"You may have a few classmates that were upset, but the majority of the group cheered it," Carlos said in a prepared statement released Friday.
Many audience members at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center Tuesday night cheered and applauded, but school officials said some of Kevin's classmates were upset the stunt could eclipse their moment of recognition.
Following the flip, Assistant Principal Ronald Stoufflet called Carlos back to the stage, where he was directed to remain backstage until the ceremony concluded.
Originally, Kevin Carlos had agreed to let Principal Marilyn Schwartz hold his diploma as a punishment for the stunt until he apologized and completed work around the school. He had not yet received his diploma because graduates receive only a diploma cover during the ceremony and the actual document afterward.
His mother said Friday that apologies are enough. Contacted by The Courier newspaper in Houma, Schwartz said "I really thought all of this was resolved." She said if Diane Carlos feels the issue is not resolved, she needs to speak with school officials.