Apparently, freedom of speech doesn't apply to valedictorians

The valedictorian of Gallatin High School in Sumner County, Tennessee, is facing criminal charges because he took the microphone during graduation to give a speech. Not only is the poor boy facing misdemeanor charges for disorderly conduct, the principal is threatening to keep his diploma from him.

In most American high schools, it is traditional that the valedictorian gives the graduation speech. Not at Gallatin High though. The honor instead goes to the class president, a position not always worthy of commencement speechmaking, let along good grades. It has long been my opinion that the whole idea of class president, etc., be abandoned, because I don't see that it ever served any real purpose aside from reunion planning, and some don't even do that very well.

Essentially, this is what happened. The valedictorian, Chris Linzy, wrote a speech for graduation, and took it upon himself to grab the microphone from the teacher when he went up to collect his diploma. He muttered a few words before the microphone was turned off and he went back to his seat. Mr. Linzy's intent was to challenge the idea of the class president giving the speech.

Now I realize the need for administrators to have graduation ceremonies go smoothly. I realize that having some random student grab the microphone and start talking can be disruptive. But we are talking about high school students here, high school students that are elated about graduating. Every once in awhile things get a bit out of hand, a bit too much cheering, some out of order singing - minor things that I think add to the spirit of the graduating class and the ceremony itself. I can understand pressing charges and withholding a diploma if a student gets on stage drunk, grabs a microphone, and starts shouting expletives, but this was a good student with a prepared speech. I guess scholarship isn't the most important thing to the administrators of Gallatin High School.

The principal, Rufus Lassiter, insists that students were repeatedly warned about the consequences of disorderly conduct at the ceremony. Thank god no one accidentally squeezed out a monster fart or there might be more charges be pressed today. Mr. Lassiter continued to whine that Mr. Linzy wanted publicity for himself and that 270 other students got no publicity whatsoever. Huh? What does that even mean?

I hope, for this boy's sake, the charges are dropped and he gets his diploma. This is perhaps one of the most ridiculous cases of power wielding I've ever heard of. OMG, do something! We have a student out of control! He is trying to give a prepared speech! Oh nos!

For more information, along with a copy of Mr. Linzy's speech, check out egalia's post at Tennessee Guerilla Women.

UPDATE: It seems he did get his diploma at the demand of the school superintendent, although nothing indicates whether or not the charges were dropped.