North Carolina high school senior is denied a diploma for wearing a Mexican flag over his gown for graduation
- Ever Lopez can be seen in footage crossing podium with flag over his shoulders
- He is spoken to by the principal and begins to remove the flag, prompting boos
- Asheboro High School said it would reconsider its dress code following outcry
A North Carolina high school senior was denied a diploma after walking up to the stage with a Mexican flag draped over his gown.
Ever Lopez can be seen in footage crossing the podium at Asheboro High School while wearing the flag before pausing as he is spoken to by school principal Penny Crooks.
During the conversation he briefly begins to remove the flag, prompting cheers from the crowd to turn into boos.
Ever Lopez can be seen in footage crossing the podium at Asheboro High School while wearing the flag
This persuades him to keep it on and he leaves the stage after receiving a certificate and fist-pumping other members of staff.
His cousin, Adolfo Hurtado, posted a TikTok video after the incident in which he said: ‘Sadly, he did not get the diploma.
‘The teacher wants him to apologize — obviously he’s not going to do that.
Neither Lopez nor Hurtado responded to requests for comment Friday, AOL reported.
Alethea Hill, 20, whose brother is close friends with Lopez, said he was allowed to receive a diploma holder after the ceremony but not his diploma.
Footage of his exchange with Crooks was livestreamed onto the school’s Facebook page, where it went viral.
Lopez’s family spoke to the school, which said he had violated the dress code, which prevents the wearing of a flag of any country.
The student then pauses as he is spoken to by school principal Penny Crooks
Footage of his exchange with Crooks was livestreamed onto the school’s Facebook page, where it went viral. Pictured is Lopez leaving the stage
Family members spoke to Crooks in her office, and were later seen being escorted outside by police officers.
Asheboro City Schools strongly denied claims on social media that school’s behaviour was ‘racist’ and insisted any national flag would have broken the rules.
A spokesman said: ‘Unfortunately, the incident at AHS last night has been misrepresented across a number of social media platforms.
‘The heart of the issue is the fact that the student did not follow the established dress code for the event and detracted from the importance and the solemnity of the ceremony.
‘Our dress code is in place to ensure the dignity of the event is upheld and is fair to all students.
‘Graduation is a milestone event and it is grossly unfair for one individual to diminish this event by violating the dress code.’
Students protested the decision Friday, and the district now says it will reevaluate its dress code.
Asheboro City Schools strongly denied claims on social media that school’s behaviour was ‘racist’ and insisted any national flag would have broken the rules