Popular senior denied high school diploma because his family CHEERED too much

Graduation: Anthony Cornist, left, with his mother Traci, right, after he was denied his diploma because his family cheered too loud

A Cincinnati, Ohio, senior was denied his diploma because his family cheered too loud.

When class of 2012 Mt. Healthy High School student Anthony Cornist's name was called at his graduation ceremony in May, his family, teachers and friends erupted in applause.



Their booming pride caused the principal to slip the senior a letter saying that his certificate would be held until he, or his family, completed 20 hours of community service as a penalty for their joy.

Mr Cornist, a popular student and football player, was shocked he could be punished for something he didn't do.



'It's crazy how somebody can do that to you,' he said to WCPO . 'It was my dream to graduate.'



His mother, Traci Cornist, says she won't apologize for being proud of her child's accomplishment.



'I'm very proud of my son,' she said to the station. 'Teachers, other students and other family members who weren't with us were also cheering for him also. He's well known.'



Mt. Healthy High School Principal Marlon Styles felt that the family went overboard and decided not to give the teen his certificate.



'I will be holding your diploma in the main office,' the letter said, 'due to the excessive cheering your guests displayed during the roll call.'



It also stated that Mr Cornist must perform 20 hours of community service, or his family can split the hours.

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Ceremony: When class of 2012 Mt. Healthy High School student Anthony Cornist's name was called, his family, teachers and friends erupted in applause

Sticklers: Principal Marlon Styles Jr., right, gave him a letter saying that his certificate would be held until he completed 20 hours of community service. Superintendent Lori Handler, left, said the family knew of the policy

'I don't understand how he's being punished for something he has no control over,' Mrs Cornist said. 'I just thought that was ludicrous... I have no clue where the logic comes in.'



But school officials told the station that the Cornist family was made aware of the consequences of their screaming well before the penalty was handed down.



'I' m very proud of my son. Teachers, other students and other family members who weren't with us were also cheering for him also. He's well known.' Mother, Traci Cornist

'In years past, we have had students whose families got over-exuberant and the child behind them's name could not be heard when they were called,' Mt. Healthy City Schools superintendent Lori Handler said to WCPO .

She said that at this year's graduation at Vineyard Community Church on May 24, the ceremony had to be stopped four times for rowdy revelers. It wasn't even the volume that was disruptive; it was the length of time the families cheered that caused the commotion.



'Had I not said, to the people who were calling names, "Stop," the succeeding child's name would not have been heard,' Mrs Handler said. 'I can't tell you how many families said to me, "Thank you so much, I was so fearful I wouldn't hear my child's name called."'

Star: Mr Cornist, a popular student and football player, was shocked he could be punished for something he didn't do

Read it and Weep: The letter stated that Mr Cornist must perform the community service, or his family can split the hours

Mrs Handler also said that the Cornist family signed an agreement with the school that they would behave in a manner consistent with school policy or penalties would be exacted.



Mrs Cornist says she doesn't recall any such contract and if she did sign it, she didn't read it.



She did, however, admit to writing this Facebook post: 'We showed so much Support...That maybe we are about to be escorted out the building...Who cares my baby just graduated!'

Lioness: His mother, Traci Cornist, says she won't apologize for being proud of her child's accomplishment. She denied signing an agreement not to be rowdy at the school

Mrs Handler said the teen has indeed graduated and will receive his diploma, but that she does not know if it is legal to hold him accountable for the actions of others.



'This is just a rule, an expectation that we set.. and we expect the parents to follow through on it,' Mrs Handler said to the station.



Prom: Mr Cornist expressed some doubt if he is willing to forgo his future plans to make a point

Legalese: Officials said the teen has graduated and will receive his diploma and that the legality of holding him accountable for the actions of others is unclear

Mrs Cornist said she is unwilling to let her son perform the community service and wants the school to repeal it's decision. She's going to the school board to get her son's diploma back.



'He's definitely not doing the community service,' she said. 'I'm definitely not doing the community service.'

