A North Carolina high school valedictorian has said she was removed from the stage and briefly denied her diploma after delivering unscripted remarks touching on political and humanitarian issues during her graduation ceremony.
Leen Hijaz delivered the speech during Clayton High School’s commencement ceremony on May 28, where she departed from the prepared script toward the end.
In her remarks, she referenced global conflicts and immigration concerns, urging graduates not to remain silent. She said: “we’re not given a voice to stay silent.”
She continued, saying, “Every single person here has a voice, and we are privileged to have the freedom to use it when so many people around the world are struggling and suffering to be heard,” adding, “Whether it’s the millions suffering in Palestine, Sudan, Congo, Afghanistan and so many other countries, or the families being torn apart by ICE, these are not distant issues. They are happening right now as I speak,” she continued. “My point is, we’re not given a voice to stay silent.”
Shortly after she finished speaking, a school official identified as principal Melissa Moore Hubbard approached her and escorted her away from the podium.
Hijaz later alleged in a TikTok video that the school initially withheld her diploma following the incident. However, school officials later stated that she did ultimately receive her diploma.
