In a bizarre turn of events, a New Jersey high school senior has gone from being class valedictorian to receiving his diploma in the mail.
Devan Solanki was initially told he wouldn't be delivering the customary commencement speech because the school was “overhauling tradition,” CBS News reported. When he tried to appeal the decision by putting together a petition and discussing the matter with his guidance counselor, Solanki was ordered to get a psych evaluation.
A day after being cleared of any mental health issues, the teen was suspended and barred altogether from attending his school’s graduation ceremony.
Similarly confused by the situation, his classmates spoke up in protest. School administrators reportedly threatened to punish them for doing so.
“I’m a very outspoken person,” he admitted. He's apparently been suspended before for disrespecting a teacher.
Fellow honor student Lauren Shaheen told CBS, “He always is standing up for the class or specific students."
The son of an immigrant mother who works seven days a week and a father who passed away just nine months ago, Solanki said,
“I did the American thing to do. I had a petition, I had a protest, and I tried to get my voice heard.”
His efforts seem to have only made matters worse.
Whether Solanki's previous behavior had anything to do with the school’s decision not to allow him the opportunity to speak at his graduation is unclear. He seems to think it’s personal.
Solanki plans to attend Harvard in the fall – that is, unless his suspension prompts university officials to rescind his hard-earned admission.
Lodi High School declined to comment.
For more, check out the full CBS News report below.