An awkward and uncomfortable moment at last week’s Fond du Lac High School graduation ceremony when an adult in the audience in appropriately interrupted a speech by one of the graduating seniors. Layan Manasrah is one of the top academic students in her graduating class and she dedicated her speech to children around the world who would not graduate this year including the children in Gaza. The student body and audience gasped when a man in the Fieldhouse stands shouted for her to get on with the graduation ceremony, bringing Layan to tears. The principal, assistant principal, another student, superintendent and school board members all stood up next to Layan to show their support and the crowd gave Layan a standing ovation. Superintendent Dr. Jeff Fleig says the outburst by the parent was uncalled for and completely inappropriate. “We do not need a disturbance at our graduation, and more importantly these are 17 and 18 year old students,” Dr. Fleig told WFDL news. “This is a night with their families. This is a big deal and to have one person try to ruin it with a comment is just unacceptable and will not be tolerated.” Dr. Fleig says this is the first time in the nearly 30 graduation ceremonies he has been a part of that something like this has happened. Manasrah will be attending Northwestern University this fall.
