Teen Defends Walking Out High School Graduation After Facing Backlash

It was pomp and no consequence for a Pennsylvania high school student who took her her diploma and just kept on walking. Each of the graduates of Parkland High School in Allentown came on stage when their names were called and returned to their assigned seats... except for Tayler Michelle Gray. In a video that has gone viral this week, Gray proudly accepts her diploma and walks off the stage just like all the other students, poses for the official photo and then walked past her seat and out the door. #InsideEdition

[twintecs]

She got her diploma then said "ight, I’m bout to head out"

[THELETTERPRODUCTION]

Damn I thought she did this to make a statement 😭. Instead homegirl just wanted Applebee’s lmao

[JCcreates]

I'm an old lady and think that after spending so many years in a controlled school system she had every right to walk out, it was her graduation, not everyone else's.

[salemmcfirefly]

My graduation was supposed to be 1 hour. We waited 3 and a half hours, listening to speeches. I can't even recall or care what was said. You go girl!

[SP-cusx]

She received her diploma, she's graduated from her school. Her walking out shouldn't have disturbed anyone.

[thatgirlfromktown]

Her mom was like "look, once you get your diploma we will meet you in the car. We missed breakfast for this and I'm hungry, we gotta beat these lunch crowds."

[tiffanysmith]

Would have done the same if they didn’t hold our diplomas captive until the middle of the summer! By the time I graduated HS, I was fed up with educators, the education system and the brat-ass kids I went to school with. Nothing was a bigger waste of my time than being forced to go to school so I could be taught everything about nothing for 12-13 years.

[judithgallegos]

When my daughter attended a graduation rehearsal for her high school, one of the students who had the highest GPA and was very overweight was heckled and called names by the students. Not one teacher or staff member tried to stop them. My daughter refused to attend her graduation in protest as she did not consider herself part of what transpired. Even the principal called her to plead with her to attend. A few days later her English teacher called her to applaud her stance. This happened at a high school in Arlington Texas many years ago.

[sal]

She knew trying to get out of the parking lot afterwards would be a nightmare.

[lordvonmanor]

When my eldest graduated he refused to show up at all. Even told them to mail him his awards, honors, and all his stuff. He didn't want to ever see them again!

[nicolemonrue]

This is actually EXACTLY what I did when I graduated. I was done. The very next day I packed my car with my belongings and moved out on my own. I've been on my own since I was 17

[TheBizarre]

She spent 17 years of people telling her what to do, 4 of those years were spent going to a place she was forced to go to, always being told to succeed, try harder, do this, dont do that, be better, get those grades and get that diploma.
She got he diploma. She did what she came to do. Many kids grow up and learn many of their HS friends arent beneficial to them and arent true friends, so that's probably why she didnt care to stick around.
Plus though graduation ceremonies take forever and shes damn smart to make a beeline for applebees lmao shes definitely going places lol

[baconfluffy]

"Wow, so disrespectful to the other graduates!"
The other graduates: I wish I could be her

[sickstarsmedia]

BRO SHE SOOO SMART 😭 SHE LEFT EARLY BEFORE APPLEBEES GOT CROWDED 😂

[concreterose]

How was that disrespect? She got what she earned as a matter of fact when I finished with my degree in radiology I’m doing the exact same thing

[lenevee]

She did her time, passed, graduated and exited.

[ClaudiaCATT]

she literally not bothering anyone else she’s just leaving how is that disrespectful

[amyb]

“Disrespectful and tacky*
*ok Karen*

[glitch._]

The fact that she walked out early just to skip the crowd at Applebees makes it even more hilarious 😂

[idkwhatever]

literally no student would care if someone did this