Student finished school in January, told days before graduation he can’t walk

HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WMBF/Gray News) — A high school senior in South Carolina who completed all necessary credits to graduate in January will not be allowed to walk at Thursday’s graduation ceremony.

Kailyn Ferguson and his family were informed last Friday that he would not be walking at Socastee High School’s graduation, less than a week before the ceremony.

Ferguson was placed at SOAR Academy in December due to a disciplinary action stemming from an email exchange between him and a teacher. His base school is Socastee High School.

While attending SOAR Academy, Ferguson doubled up on his credits. After passing his exit exam, he completed high school in January.

Ferguson could have picked up his diploma in January, but he said he was told he could wait and walk with his classmates Thursday.

However, an email from Socastee Principal Jeremy Rich to the family last Friday said Ferguson is ineligible to walk at graduation. The email also said Ferguson has an outstanding balance of $63 that must be paid in order to receive his diploma.

Ferguson said he hoped graduation would be a chance for him to be with his class one last time.

“I didn’t go to prom or nothing like that because I graduated in January. All I can say is, four days ago, we got an email that I couldn’t walk the stage,” he said.

Ferguson said he finds the decision unfair since he completed his necessary credits.

The email from Rich said Ferguson could walk in the August ceremony. But Ferguson said he does not want to walk in August and would like to walk now.

Horry County Schools issued a statement but did not share specific details about Ferguson.

“Although we cannot share specific details about individual students, please know that these decisions are made only after thorough consideration of all pertinent information and circumstances,” the statement said.

The district said that, according to policy, the principal’s decision is final in matters involving the dismissal of students from extracurricular activities. A graduation ceremony is considered an extracurricular activity under this policy.

“When organizing graduation ceremonies, it is the duty of school principals to guarantee the safety, security, and proper conduct of the event for everyone involved,” the statement said.

The district said since graduation is classified as an extracurricular activity, there is no option for an appeal, and the principal’s decision is final.

While he is disappointed that he will not be able to walk at graduation, Ferguson said he plans to pay his outstanding $63 balance to receive his diploma.

From there, Ferguson plans to head to the nearest Army recruiting office to sign up with the military.