Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

KG

(28,749 posts)
Sat Jun 26, 2021, 11:08 PM Jun 2021

Principal Crumples Valedictorian's Speech About Mental Health, So He Does It From Memory

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/principal-crumples-valedictorian-speech-mental-125151755.html

Scary Mommy

Kristine Cannon
Fri, June 25, 2021, 8:51 AM
“After I came out as queer freshman year, I felt so alone. I didn’t know who to turn to,” the student said before his mic was cut off
In New Jersey last Thursday, Bryce Dershem stood behind the podium to address Eastern Regional High School’s graduation class and their respective families. And although the valedictorian didn’t make it one minute into his graduation speech before his mic was cut off and the principal of the school walked away with the graduating senior’s speech, Dershem did the incredible: He delivered the powerful speech about coming out, his LGBTQ identity, and mental health — from memory

Dershem began his speech confidently, congratulating his fellow classmates and thanking friends, families, and the community for helping make their accomplishments possible. But 45 seconds into Dershem’s speech, his mic was abruptly muted. The school would later claim it was a “technical difficulty.”

“After I came out as queer freshman year, I felt so alone. I didn’t know who to turn to,” Dershem said before getting cut off. At this moment, Principal Robert Tull walked up, removed the mic, crumpled the student’s speech and walked off with Dershem’s speech in hand....
18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Principal Crumples Valedictorian's Speech About Mental Health, So He Does It From Memory (Original Post) KG Jun 2021 OP
OMG! sdfernando Jun 2021 #1
Another stupid person in charge of our kids. OAITW r.2.0 Jun 2021 #2
Hope that principle feels embarrassed vercetti2021 Jun 2021 #3
Removed the mic and took the speech. bottomofthehill Jun 2021 #4
I don't buy it ... just saying (nt) Hugh_Lebowski Jun 2021 #17
Hmmmm.... ShazzieB Jun 2021 #5
The volume was quite low prior to him being given a different mic Hugh_Lebowski Jun 2021 #18
What the F are these sniveling cowards so scared of? sheshe2 Jun 2021 #6
+1000 Hekate Jun 2021 #8
Ya know that book... sheshe2 Jun 2021 #11
the same "liberal slant" Idiot FL gov ron desantis is afraid of & passed a law forcing students & onetexan Jun 2021 #10
I read that about desatin. sheshe2 Jun 2021 #12
Shameful. Hope this principal is fired. n/t iluvtennis Jun 2021 #7
young people continue to impress me Skittles Jun 2021 #9
Not only should the Principal be fired, he should be forced to publicly apologize. cayugafalls Jun 2021 #13
Pfft NJCher Jun 2021 #14
I don't think I buy the whole 'mike cut off' and 'Principal crumpled his speech' part of the story Hugh_Lebowski Jun 2021 #15
In the comments, that guy Gordon whatever his name is AZLD4Candidate Jun 2021 #16

vercetti2021

(10,150 posts)
3. Hope that principle feels embarrassed
Sat Jun 26, 2021, 11:19 PM
Jun 2021

Smart kid to know his speech. Like a contingency plan for homophobia

ShazzieB

(15,952 posts)
5. Hmmmm....
Sat Jun 26, 2021, 11:43 PM
Jun 2021

'The school would later claim it was a "technical difficulty."'

Oh, I see. So it was a random coincidence that the principal just happened to walk up and steal the kid's speech right after the mic was cut off? Wow, yeah, that is one wild coincidence all right!

 

Hugh_Lebowski

(33,643 posts)
18. The volume was quite low prior to him being given a different mic
Sun Jun 27, 2021, 03:29 AM
Jun 2021

And you actually cannot see 'the principal' doing any such thing.

I think this story is wrong, frankly.

I think he was given a better microphone.

And that's it.

MHO, I guess we'll see.

sheshe2

(83,323 posts)
11. Ya know that book...
Sun Jun 27, 2021, 01:17 AM
Jun 2021

Our Bodies Ourselves takes on a whole new meaning. Written in 1969 for Women.

The text does not apply, yet the title does.

Their Bodies.

onetexan

(12,994 posts)
10. the same "liberal slant" Idiot FL gov ron desantis is afraid of & passed a law forcing students &
Sun Jun 27, 2021, 01:15 AM
Jun 2021

faculty list their political views. Destupid is much more dangerous than the Con.

Kudos to this brave young man for what he did - stand up for himself and other LGBTQ+ students.

sheshe2

(83,323 posts)
12. I read that about desatin.
Sun Jun 27, 2021, 01:22 AM
Jun 2021

This young man is a leader. He refused to be silenced.

Bravo my child.

cayugafalls

(5,629 posts)
13. Not only should the Principal be fired, he should be forced to publicly apologize.
Sun Jun 27, 2021, 01:53 AM
Jun 2021

What a fucking pig.

Probably afraid of his own thoughts.

 

Hugh_Lebowski

(33,643 posts)
15. I don't think I buy the whole 'mike cut off' and 'Principal crumpled his speech' part of the story
Sun Jun 27, 2021, 03:12 AM
Jun 2021

But the speech was beautiful regardless.

Great job Bryce

Latest Discussions»Alliance Forums»LGBT»Principal Crumples Valedi...