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Kaitlin Nootbaar graduated from Prague High School in Prague, Oklahoma and is now attending college at Southwestern Oklahoma State, but her high school is refusing to give her a diploma because she said the word ‘hell’ in her valedictorian speech, drawing inspiration from Twilight character Jessica Stanley, played by Anna Kendrick, who gave the valedictorian speech in Eclipse.
She was talking about wanting to be a nurse and then a vet and eventually said, “How the hell do I know? I’ve changed my mind so many times.” — something that did not sit well with her school’s principal David Smith, who is refusing to hand over the teen’s diploma until she delivers apology letters to him, the school board and all her teachers.
In the movie, the speech goes as follows: “When we were five, they asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up. Our answers were thing like astronaut, president, or in my case… princess. When we were ten, they asked again and we answered – rock star, cowboy, or in my case, gold medalist. But now that we’ve grown up, they want a serious answer. Well, how ’bout this, who the hell knows. This isn’t the time to make hard and fast decisions, this is the time to make mistakes. Take the wrong train and get stuck somewhere. Fall in love – a lot. Major in philosophy ’cause there’s no way to make a career out of that. Change your mind. Then change it again, because nothing is permanent. So make as many mistakes as you can. That way, someday, when they ask again what we want to be… we won’t have to guess. We’ll know.”
Kaitlin also reportedly referenced The Hunger Games in her speech, but apparently the principal was just fine with that. Do you think she should get her diploma?
Spread the Word
They say worst stuff than that in school so get over it
This is a simple case of OVER REACTION!!!
She said ONE WORD get over it!!!!
WTF who cares if she swore?!?
Thats just effin BULL!
I agree with Lola! It’s in the Bible!! It’s not really a swear word and she definitely could have said worse!! She said one little “swear” word and she doesn’t get her diploma?? What about the kids who drop the F-bomb every five seconds?? Did they get their diplomas?
Xoxo M
Despite the fact that the punishment may be a little overboard, the fact remains that “hell” is a vulgar word, and it’s up to the administration to decree what is and is not appropriate for their school-held functions. This girl was almost certainly aware that her school was not one to put up with language like that, and should have chosen a more appropriate combination of words.
WOW. That is so stupid, she says something as insignificant as Hell which, everyone says, and I guarantee every person attending the graduation ceremony has heard that word before and really didn’t care. Just wow.. she was the valedictorian and she earned it! They are seriously not going to give her her diploma just because she said hell? People are not perfect..geez
What blasphemy. And it’s ridiculous,considering the school mascot is the Red Devil and she’s being reprimanded for using the word “hell” in her speech. Oh please. I live for irony like this. Seriously,though,hell is NOT a swear word. Priests say it in mass and the word hell is the Bible. Most teens (and a lot of kids) say it. She shouldn’t have to apologize. She could have said much worse. The principal needs to get over himself.
I meant to say IN the Bible. Sorry for the typo.
I was more so referring to the leaving out of the information that she had already been told to change the speech, and agreed, before changing it back in the actual live speech.
But thank you for the reply, I appreciate it.
At least give the full story, Teen.com.
She was not refused her diploma for “Quoting “Twilight”". She was refused her diploma for saying “Hell” in her speech when she already was told she had to say “Heck” in place of it when she submitted her speech for approval. She agreed to say “Heck” in place of “Hell’ and then changed it back to “Hell” during the actual speech.
I agree the school is overreacting and she deserves her diploma, but still, give the actual facts.
Hi Emily, this is a direct quote from the article above: her high school is refusing to give her a diploma because she said the word ‘hell’ in her valedictorian speech
Sorry you didn’t like the story’s headline, but we did provide the facts.
I was more referring to the leaving out of the information that the school had already told her to change it, she agreed, and then changed it back during the actual speech.
But thank you for your reply, I appreciate it.
REALLY, gosh people say hell all the time!!! X(
i honestly think it’s retarded because these are words that we use in every day conversation starting in gr.6, and if you think about that word is just like any other word…in theory, words are just sounds with meanings behind them, if she had chosen not to use that word, she could have chosen to replace it with a word with just as bad as a meaning but that’s “acceptable” in a school environment. and to be honest i’ve heard many teachers say the word themselves, and i dont know if it’s just her school that’s very strict with language or if it’s from quoting twilight.
THIS IS SO STUPID! GIVE HER THE DIPLOMA! SHE WORKED FOR IT AND SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE IT TAKEN AWAY BECAUSE OF THIS! I HAVE THOUGHT MANY TIMES ABOUT QUOTING THAT WHOLE SPEECH IF I END UP VALEDICTORIAN! WILL I NOT GET MINE EITHER?!?
This is ridiculous. She doesn’t owe anyone an apology for saying something as insignificant as that word. Come on now, give the girl her diploma.
I was the valedictorian of my class and I felt like my speech was very creative and fun…. but, I regret every day for not sticking it to some of those people… I worked my butt off and my school didn’t do crap for me in furthering my age… All I have to say is “YOU GO GIRL!!!” Speak your mind and don’t live with regrets!!!
That is so dumb. What does she owe anyone an apology for? Saying a word that they have probably heard a billion times. Give the girl her diploma, move on and focus on more important things.
What??????
That is so stupid!!!! Just give the girl her dang diploma! She is the VALEDICTORIAN for a reason!!! She deserves her diploma because she worked hard for it! They shouldnt just take it away from her like that! Its just not fair!
can you quote from katilin’s speech the hunger games part and really she doesnt get her dimploma for saying one word which isnt a swear word or anything like that. people in prague really have to learn to be nice or nicer in some cases
shes been inspired poeple give her a break