Seven members of a Maryland High School Class Finally Received Their Diplomas 52 Years Later

A particular commencement ceremony was just lately held for La Plata Excessive College’s Class of 1969 to lastly give out official highschool diplomas to seven college students activists after a civil rights protest denied them of their certificates.

Based on FOX 5, the Maryland college students have been severely punished 52 years in the past, for collaborating in a sit-in and walk-out at their college that additionally shut down the college cafeteria by blocking entry to it.

Wilhelmina Travis stated the protest began after no Black majorettes have been picked throughout a college try-out. Travis stated she taught roughly 5 college students earlier than try-outs, and famous that the women displayed glorious efficiency expertise.

Nonetheless, after college students expressed their considerations to highschool leaders, a sit-in on the college’s cafeteria was organized, as a result of it ‘fell on deaf ears.’ Jimmy Mayola, one of many seven graduates who was honored through the particular ceremony, was reportedly the one White scholar who was punished over the majorette twirler’s choice controversy.

Mayola famous that La Plata Excessive College’s scholar physique inhabitants was predominately comprised of Black college students. Based on stories, the protesters who supported the Black college students veered off the parade route. College directors opted to not enable the Black college students who protested, along with Mayola, to obtain their highschool diploma at commencement with different college students.

“There have been in all probability 200 Black college students and myself and my brother,” Mayola stated to FOX 5, whereas recalling the protest, “What they have been doing was mistaken. It wasn’t honest. Individuals want illustration.”

The scholars obtained their diplomas in a particular ceremony after a petition was circulated asking that board members maintain the ceremony publicly as a substitute of mailing diplomas.

The Charles County NAACP was additionally concerned in serving to the scholars obtain their diplomas, in keeping with the knowledge posted on-line.

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FOX 5 additionally reported that extra graduates have been supplied with a certificates for his or her activism from the Maryland Basic Meeting. Click on this hyperlink to see the video of the graduates on their huge day.