High school graduate says she was denied her diploma after dancing across stage

PHILADELPHIA - Four students at Philadelphia High School for Girls claim they were denied their diplomas on stage at graduation after their expressions of excitement drew reactions from the audience.Hafsah Abdur Rahman danced across the stage at the Kimmel Center when she heard her name called during last Friday's graduation ceremony, only to be denied her diploma by the principal. "I was really embarrassed, I didn't think she was not going to give me my diploma because I didn't think I broke any rules," Hafsah said.

The graduates families were told not to cheer and hold their applause until the end of the ceremony. Hafsah's family in the crowd respected the rules, but her dance moves elicited a reaction.MORE LOCAL HEADLINES"Miss Mesi said she didn't give me my diploma because the crowd chuckled," Hafsah told FOX 29's Dawn Timmeney.

Hafsah said the outburst of joy was brought on by reaching the end of a tumultuous four-year high school career that was partly ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. "After four years of high school, all these girls went through a lot - through COVID, mentally, physically - and you just humiliate them," Hafsah's mother Jasmine Reid said.