A mortar board and diploma are shown.(Photo: Jeffrey Hamilton, Getty Images via Photodisc)
Officials at a Mississippi college that hosted a high school graduation during which cheering celebrants were asked to leave are saying their school had no involvement in the May 21 incident that has grabbed nationwide attention.
The campus of Northwest Mississippi Community College in the Memphis metropolitan area played host to the Senatobia High School graduation in which four audience members who cheered for graduates were put out of the ceremonies. Warrants have been issued for the arrests of three of the four, according to the
Clarion-Ledger, and at least two of those escorted out were black, prompting buzz on social media as to whether race was a factor. The charge is disturbing the peace.
The community college in Senatobia, Miss., issued a statement Thursday detailing how events unfolded and clearing up inaccuracies that have floated around since the story broke.
USA TODAY
Warrants issued for relatives who cheered at graduation
Jay Foster, superintendent of the Senatobia Municipal School District, approached campus police to complete an affidavit for disturbing the peace, according to the statement. He then took that affidavit to Tate County, Miss., Justice Court, in Senatobia, where he filed it and warrants were issued, the statement read.
"Northwest Campus Police had no involvement in issuing or serving these warrants," the statement read.
The school further pointed out in the statement that in Tate County, judges issue warrants.
"College officials and campus police were unaware until after the (graduation) ceremony that school officials intended to press criminal charges," the statement read. "The college will be conducting a review of its hosting of high school graduations."
The events unfolded at the graduation. The program included a directive that audience members were to hold their applause and cheers as individual graduates crossed the stage to receive diplomas.
"We didn't tell them they couldn't cheer, we just asked them to wait until the end so everyone has an opportunity to hear their graduate's name," Foster told the
Clarion-Ledger.
But at least one parent shouted as his daughter received her diploma, as well as the aunt of another graduate.
Foster said one graduate flinched as she crossed the stage and seemed to be startled by the cheering.
"The look on her face when she was coming across the stage just reminded me, this is about the kids," he said. "My point is not to have somebody have to pay money, but I want them to know there are consequences for their behavior, and I want us to have a dignified service."
Those issued warrants could each face up to $500 in fines and up to six months in jail.
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