NEW YORK, June 30 (UPI) -- New York City officials have backed down from their plan to withhold a diploma from a valedictorian who used a graduation speech to rip her alma mater.
Tiffany Schley's speech slammed her school, the High School of Legal Studies, in Bushwick, the New York Daily News reported.
As a result of the criticism school officials told her she would not get a diploma with other students.
But then the flap became public, and Schools Chancellor Joel Klein apologized to her Tuesday.
"This woman deserves her diploma," Klein said. "I'm sorry this incident occurred."
Schley also asked Klein to deliver her diploma personally at a 6 p.m. ceremony Thursday at The House of the Lord Church in Brooklyn.
Klein, however, will not be there.
"The chancellor congratulates her on her graduation and selection as valedictorian but will not be able to attend the church ceremony," said his spokeswoman, Michele McManus.
