A Clayton High School graduate was denied her diploma after she delivered unapproved remarks during her commencement address on May 28.
Leen Hijaz altered her preapproved script to speak about international conflicts and immigration enforcement, prompting school officials to intervene mid-speech.
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The incident was captured on the school's official YouTube livestream and went viral on social media platforms.
In her welcome address, Hijaz said: "Before I leave the stage, I have one last thing to say.
Every single person here has a voice; we have the privilege to use it when millions around the world are struggling and suffering to be heard."
She referenced suffering in Palestine, Sudan, Congo, Afghanistan, and families affected by ICE, adding: "My point is, we're not given a voice to stay silent."
Following the ceremony, Hijaz expressed frustration on TikTok about the administration's decision to withhold her physical diploma.
"Throughout my entire life, my education has been something so important," she said. "I worked hard for 12 years.
For that to be taken from me, I feel oppressed."
Hijaz admitted the addition was a spontaneous choice, omitted from the submitted version because she anticipated rejection.
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"I was extremely scared to say something and really wasn't planning on doing it, but I had so much support from my friends and family around me, and they encouraged me to say something," she said.
When asked about critics who consider commencement an inappropriate venue for political statements, Hijaz defended her timing: "Where is the place and time?
What is the right place and time?"
She noted her words sparked community engagement on global issues.
Johnston County Public Schools stated that all speeches must be submitted well in advance.
The district said administrators intervened "to maintain the integrity and focus of the program in real time."
"This action was not about limiting a student’s voice, but about ensuring that a school-sponsored event remained consistent with its intended purpose," the district said.
The district affirmed support for student expression while upholding the structure of official school functions.
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It did not confirm whether the diploma withholding was a direct result of the speech deviation.
