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Emotional embraces, hugs from grandmother and pictures taken with lifelong friends. It's graduation season, but in Rock Hill, the rules of the ceremony are again causing controversy.
Seven York County high schools are holding graduations this weekend at Winthrop Coliseum. Each of York County's four school districts have strict rules for behavior during the ceremony. The audience is not allowed to cheer, applaud, or make noise as each senior's name is called.
The rule is aimed at creating a respectful atmosphere. Many parents have complained that loud screaming during the ceremony has kept them from hearing their own child's name when they get their diploma. For some, the noise has ruined a critical moment.
"People shouldn't cheer. Parents need to be able to hear their child's name," said Whitney Gregory, who attended Friday's graduation for York Comprehensive High School.
The controversy rose significantly three years ago, when Allen Brandon was arrested when he cheered for his daughter. She was graduating from Northwestern High School.
"I simply yelled, 'Go Amanda,' and for that, I was handcuffed, taken out of the stadium and put in the back of a police car," Brandon said. He was cited for disorderly conduct.
Brandon said he knew the rules, but his wife was dying of cancer then, and it was her wish that he cheer Amanda on that day. He told Eyewitness News he will do it again Saturday when his youngest daughter, Samantha, graduates.
"I will once again cheer for her, and I know the consequences," Brandon said. "I hope they don't arrest me this time, but if they do, that's what's going to happen."
Winthrop University hosts all the major graduations each year at Winthrop Coliseum. Police Chief Frank Zebedis said Friday that the intent is not to arrest anyone, but to enforce the policy of the school district.
"If they are disrespectful, then we'll remove them from the ceremony," he said.
Zebedis said spectators won't be arrested as long as they leave when asked to and aren't causing a scene.
"We can charge them with either disturbing schools, because this is a school event, or criminal trespass," he said.
Sherri Britt watched her nephew graduate from York Comprehensive Friday morning. She wanted to yell for him, but held back.
"Oh, I wanted to cheer. We've waited 18 years for this, but I didn't," she said.
However, she did see police take action when other people in the crowd were disruptive.
"All that happened was the police pointed at them and then pointed them out the door. They got up and left," she said.
Caitlynn Conley is graduating from Southpointe High School Saturday. She and her classmates plan to cheer for a friend who had to fight hard to walk across the stage.
Ashley Eason broke both of her legs in a car accident in Rock Hill last month. After intense therapy and with only days to heal, she plans to be standing when she receives her diploma.
"It's not the fact that she's graduating that we're cheering for," Conley said. "It's the fact that she was in an accident three weeks ago and is already walking."
Conley said the no-cheer rule is silly, and it won't stop her and her friends.
"I don't care. If they walk us all out of there, what are they going to do?" she said.
School district officials were not available for comment Friday. They stand by the policy, saying it encourages respect for all graduates and allows the often lengthy ceremonies to stay on schedule.