Principal interrupts valedictorian's criticism of Mainland

This story is in conjuntion with another story, Speech of the Student. I am only submitting it now because I was unaware of this part of the story, it goes into a bit more detail about what happened as a result of the speech. I do have to say, I agree wholeheartedly with the student. He is using his brain and I really was beginning to believe that the kids today were not or didn't care. He proved me wrong! I am glad to say.  Below is the full context of the article, you can still go to the link but you will need to register, free, to see it.  Hope it is ok I posted the whole thing here!

Principal interrupts valedictorian's criticism of Mainland

By REGINA SCHAFFER Staff Writer, (609) 272-7211
Published: Thursday, June 22, 2006
Updated: Thursday, June 22, 2006


Kareem Elnahal learned a lesson Tuesday night — even in graduation, the school still rules.

The class valedictorian surprised administrators and his fellow 2006
graduates at Mainland Regional High School when he opted to give an
unapproved speech criticizing the school. Mainland, Elnahal said, does
not encourage intellectual thought and the exchange of ideas.

The senior, in a detailed speech that referenced philosphers and ethics
principles, referred to his education as “entirely hollow.” The speech
was interrupted by the principal, and Elnahal cut his remarks short and
left the ceremony.

Mainland principal Robert Blake said the speech insulted Elnahal’s classmates.

“That was so hypocritical of him to make that statement,” Blake said.
“It was an insult to everyone here at this school ... he made
inflammatory comments about the school in general.”

Reached at his home Wednesday, Elnahal said he regrets the way the situation unfolded. He was embarassed and apologetic.

“I put the principal in a very uncomfortable position — he’s a very
nice guy, actually — I feel bad,” Elnahal said. “I feel bad that he had
to deal with this.”

“I just wanted to finish up, I felt pretty guilty,” he said. “I felt
embarassed that the ceremony had to happen this way. It’s supposed to
be a day of celebration.”

At the same time, Elnahal said he is glad he had the opportunity to make his point.

“I went to two parties last night, and I’m their hero now,” he said.

“I felt like this was the right thing to do,” Elnahal said. “I couldn’t
show the speech (to officials) beforehand because they would have
rejected it. I could tell by the reaction from students that they felt
the same way. I had to express it or I felt that nothing would change.”

In Elnahal’s original approved speech, he was to touch on the high and
low points of school and the experiences that moved the class to
maturity. But once he took the podium, Elnahal changed gears and began
to speak about the shortcomings of the American education system —
specifically, at Mainland, a school that prides itself as being one of
the premier area high schools.

“In my reflection ... and I have reflected on this a great deal, I
found that many of life’s important questions are ignored here,”
Elnahal said, according to a copy of the alternate speech he provided
to The Press.

He went on to say, “I speak today not to rant, complain or cause
trouble ... rather, I was moved by the countless hours wasted in those
halls.”

Blake said he and other administrators realized after a few moments
that Elnahal’s speech was different than what was approved. Blake said
he approached Elnahal, let him know he was disappointed with what he
was saying, and asked him to wrap up his speech.

Elnahal described the incident the same way.

After he finished the speech, Elnahal walked off the stage and left the school grounds by his own choice.

“I thought it would be better for the ceremony to go on without me,” he said.

Blake noted that the very education system Elnahal criticized helped him get into Princeton University.

“He conveyed that he felt his education was worthless,” Blake said. “We have an outstanding education system here.”

Blake said the audience had a mixed reaction to Elnahal’s comments.
Some yelled comments regarding freedom of speech after the speech was
interrupted. Blake said he heard some students cheering and applauding
Elnahal’s comments.

“I truly don’t believe they understood what he was saying,” Blake said.
“My hope was they did not hear or understand what he was saying.
Whether it was intentional or not, he was belittling the diplomas of
every one of those kids.”

Blake said that as with every valedictorian’s speech, there is a
process of review to make sure the speech is appropriate. Elnahal’s
original speech was approved.

“This is a school (sanctioned) program,” Blake said. “We give them
latitude. However, to say inflammatory things — no, I won’t allow that.
We have several thousand people in the stands.”

“He has a right to his comments, but he shouldn’t have been using that
pulpit to put forth his limited viewpoint,” Blake said. “Hopefully
people kept it in context.”

David Hudson, a research attorney at First Amendment Center, said it is
difficult to say in a situation like this who is right and who is wrong.

“The question becomes whether (the student’s) speech is student
initiated or school sponsored,” Hudson said. “It’s a hazy issue.”

Hudson noted that students do not have full First Ammendment
protection, and do not have the right to say whatever they want at a
school event.

But at the same time, disliking a student’s speech is not a reason to
stop it, Hudson said. If there was substantial concern that the
student’s words could cause a problem, then someone has a right to step
in, Hudson said.

Blake said that Elnahal’s diploma still is at Mainland. He has not yet contacted the school about obtaining it.

“I guess I have to go pick it up,” Elnahal said.

To e-mail Regina Schaffer at The Press: