A high school student from Nebraska found herself in a story she will remember for years to come. Ellie McCormick recently went viral on TikTok when she shared her disappointment at not receiving her diploma during graduation due to an unpaid $15 laptop repair fee. In the viral video, McCormick proudly held up a pink slip demanding payment, with her full name and the fee amount displayed prominently.
Despite the setback, McCormick remained upbeat and wore her green cap and gown with a smile. She even captioned the video, “Hot girls get a pink diploma anyway.” Viewers flooded the comment section, sharing their own experiences with end-of-the-year school fees.
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One person lamented paying $68 for losing a bag and charger just hours before their graduation, while another recalled their fourth-grade diploma being withheld over a 75-cent fee for breaking a keycap.
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McCormick explained that she was required to pay the $15 fee because she had lost her laptop bag during her freshman year. The video garnered over 720,000 views, with McCormick’s humorous response, “[You’re] s—-ting me,” resonating with many.
Although McCormick was able to walk across the stage, she did not receive her certificate of completion. This incident echoes a similar situation at Washington State University, where a student faced the possibility of not receiving their diploma due to a 1-cent unpaid balance. However, the university clarified that diplomas would not be withheld over such small amounts.
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In another notable case, a high school student from Philadelphia was denied her diploma by the school’s principal after performing a celebratory dance on stage during the commencement ceremony.
The incident went viral, but the student eventually received her degree and an apology from the school’s assistant superintendent.
These incidents highlight the challenges students sometimes face in their pursuit of diplomas, but they also underscore the resilience and determination demonstrated by individuals like Ellie McCormick in the face of adversity.