Illinois students denied diplomas for tossing caps during graduation ceremony

NORRIDGE , Ill., May 29 (UPI) -- An entire class of graduating seniors at an Illinois high school has yet to receive their diplomas after many of them tossed their caps into the air during commencement.

Ridgewood High School administrators are withholding the diplomas until the seniors publicly apologize. According to the school, seniors were warned repeatedly not to toss their caps in the air and their choice to ignore that request is a sign of blatant disrespect.

"The gym is decorated; people dress up (some of them); we expect dignified behavior," Superintendent Dr. Robert Lupo said when explaining the school's decision. "Secondly, it is an indoor event. In past ceremonies, people have been hit by flying caps. We'd just as soon not have graduates leaving with cuts and black eyes."

Senior class representatives will have a chance to issue an apology during a meeting on June 4.

"It was the perfect ending to the graduation, but unfortunately we didn't get our diplomas," graduating senior Andre Taraska told NBC 5 Chicago.

Lupo encouraged students who did not toss their caps to voice their concerns to the classmates that "put you in this position."

It's unclear if the students are going to apologize to get their diplomas.