Prague High School In Oklahoma Denies Kaitlin Nootbaar Diploma For Saying 'Hell' In Graduation Speech
Kaitlin Nootbaar, the Prague High School valedictorian who was denied her diploma from the Oklahoma school for saying "hell" in her graduation speech is not apologizing for her use of the word.
Kaitlin's father, David Nootbaar, told KFOR in Oklahoma City that the valedictorian's speech was inspired by the movie, "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse."
The principal of Prague High School in Prague, Okla., demanded Kaitlin apologize if she wanted her diploma. Kaitlin has refused the offer, saying she doesn't believe she did anything wrong.
In the speech to Prague High School seniors, Kaitlin deviated from her written speech, which had the word, "heck," in it and used "hell" instead, her father told the station.
"Her quote was, 'When she first started school she wanted to be a nurse, then a veterinarian and now that she was getting closer to graduation, people would ask her, what do you want to do and she said 'How the hell do I know? I've changed my mind so many times,'" David Nootbaar told KFOR.
Ironically, Prague High School's athletic teams are known as the Red Devils and the school's website features a white devil in red outline holding a pitchfork.
The line was greeted with laughter by those in attendance at the Prague High School graduation ceremony back in May, but Kaitlin Nootbaar wasn't laughing when it came time to pick up her diploma.
"We went to the office and asked for the diploma and the principal said 'Your diploma is right here but you're not getting it. Close the door we have a problem," Nootbaar said.
That's when Kaitlin was scolded by the Prague High School principal, who demanded a written apology from the valedictorian in exchange for her diploma.
David Nootbaar told KFOR that he believed the principal had no right to demand the apology.
"She earned that diploma. She completed all the state curriculum. In four years she has never made a B. She got straight A's and had a 4.0 the whole way through," he told the station.
The school's superintendent declined to address the situation.
"This matter is confidential and we cannot publicly say anything about it," Dr. Rick Martin said in a statement to KFOR.
While Kaitlin might not have her physical diploma, she's still headed to college on a full scholarship, The Huffington Post reported.
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