The class valedictorian of Lodi High School in northern Bergen County is set for Harvard this fall, but not set for his upcoming graduation ceremony, dailymail.co.uk reports.
Accused of being rude to teachers and school officials, Devan Solanki, 18, might not be allowed to attend his very own graduation ceremony and deliver his valedictorian speech. The 18-year-old graduating student was informed he will not be allowed to speak and attend the event for 'sassing teachers' and being too outspoken.
Admitting he can be sharp-tounged, Solanki claims it is nothing serious or against anyone.
Because of the behavioral issue, the school suspended Solanki for 5 days, which runs through the date of the graduation, and even asked him to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, which he passed according to his mother, Nayna Solanki, to be allowed to return to school.
The said test was imposed after an incident involving the valedictorian and the school's guidance counselor. During the encounter, Solanki told the school officer: "'I just want to resolve this peacefully,' which the latter took as a threat. "I guess she took it as an ultimatum or an 'or else' statement. Her official words were, I threatened her."
Solanki got the support of his classmates that they have held protests outside the school and sent emails and letters to appeal to the decision of the school. They even started the Twitter hashtag #LetDevanSpeak, foxnews.com reports.
"Not only did they take this away from me, they took it away from my family," Solanki told NBC 4 New York Saturday.
Solanki believes the move was to stop him from using his speech to get back at the school and says that this was never his intention.
The school has not given any comment and Principal Frank D'Amico told the Star-Ledger he could not discuss student personnel matters.
As to date, the school stands firm to their decision and will not allow the 4.3032 grade-point-average, No.1-in-class student the valedictorian speech he earned to give.
