Student Receives Diploma After Being Denied For Wearing Mexican Flag

A high school Senior was denied his diploma from a North Carolina high school last week for wearing a Mexican flag over his graduation gown at Asheboro High School’s ceremony. The school says it has nothing to do with his heritage, but with the fact that he was not following the school’s dress code.

Ever Lopez was born in the United States to Mexican immigrants and is the first in his immediate family to graduate from high school. So as a proud first generation and first graduate in the family, he wanted to honor his roots by wearing the Mexican flag over his gown; however, things didn’t go as planned.

The moment was captured and uploaded to TikTok by Lopez’s cousin.  In the video, Lopez is seen approaching the podium expecting to receive his diploma. You can then see a brief discussion take place with the school’s principal, Penny Crooks. He got two pats on the back from other school administrators before walking away and raising his fist in the air empty handed…

Really? Let’s take a look at the dress code a bit more closely…because the dress code, while it prohibits hats or clothing that advertise illegal products for minors or clothing that’s gang-related, provocative or obscene, makes no explicit mention of flags or the like over graduation gowns.

Lopez’s mother, Margarita Lopez told the Times that she was informed her son could pick up his diploma this week. But she said he also wants an apology. “This was an act of racism, not just to my son but to the entire Hispanic community.”

Well, it looks like Lopez finally received his diploma yesterday after his parents met with principal Penny Crooks. “We came here on Thursday with so much pride and ready to get the diploma of my son. We were so proud the instant we heard his name being called until we saw him approach the principal where he was stopped and we instantly got choked up,” the mother said as her son stood behind her.

“What happened on Thursday isn’t just about my son, it’s about our entire Latino community,” Margarita Lopez said. 
“Ever has worked so hard for four years to get this diploma. Until this day, he was a graduate without a diploma.

She added, “As parents, we’re so proud that he has taken on the honor and pride of where his roots are and where he comes from.”

Ever Lopez said that Crooks was open to the idea of changing the graduation dress code. It was not immediately clear if Crooks offered an apology.