Blue Ridge Homecoming Queen Will Miss Graduation for Late Arrival to Rehearsal

UPDATE: 1:33pm, Wednesday, June 5, 2013

A spokesperson for Greenville County Schools has commented after an Upstate radio station began a campaign to allow Blue Ridge High School's homecoming queen to walk at graduation today.

Haley Coker was told she would not be allowed to walk with her class because she arrived at graduation rehersal too late. Coker had taken a sibling to Tigerville Elementary's Awards Day, because their mother had to work.

Greenville County Schools spokesman Oby G. Lyles, Sr.,  released a statement earlier today.

"Graduations are for the benefit of all students and their families and guests," Lyles said. "It is important that all seniors participate in graduation practices to ensure an organized and timely ceremony.

"Rules to participate in graduation are communicated multiple times with seniors," he continued. "These rules are common and accepted practice for high schools across the state.

"Students are required to participate in practices to “walk” in graduation.  Principals want seniors to participate and can and do make exceptions for special circumstances for legitimate reasons for missing a practice.  For example, a student could call during rehearsal so his/her participation can be planned," Lyles said.

He said prinicpal's decisions regarding students not walking at graduation could be appealed to district officials.

Original Story, 10:57am, Tuesday, June 5, 2013

A Blue Ridge student, who is also the school's homecoming queen, won't be allowed to walk with her class in graduation services Wednesday afternoon because she was late to graduation practice, her mom told an Upstate radio station.

Candy Coker called WSSL's morning radio show and said that her daughter, Haley Coker, would not be allowed to walk with her class at because she arrived too late to rehearsal. Blue Ridge High School's graduation is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Furman's Timmons Arena.

Candy Coker said that her daughter had taken a younger sibling to Awards Day at Tigerville Elementary School, because she had to work.

Her mom told WSSL that she believes her daughter deserves the right to graduate with her class, as she made an honest mistake.

Listen to Coker's call.

Messages have been left on the Blue Ridge Fighting Tigers Facebook and on WSSL's Facebook page in support of Haley Coker.

We have calls in to Greenville County Schools district spokesperson and will update this story as more information becomes available.