Student gets diploma after controversy erupts over wearing Mexican flag at graduation

Student gets diploma after controversy erupts over wearing Mexican flag at graduation

A North Carolina high school graduate received his diploma on Monday four days after it was denied to him during his commencement ceremony because he wore a Mexican flag over his gown. Ever Lopez, 18, was given his diploma after he and his parents met with Asheboro High School principal Penny Crooks, who scolded him on Thursday over walking across the graduation stage in what she described as a violation of the commencement ceremony dress code. Lopez told ABC News that he draped the flag over his shoulders to receive his diploma because he wanted to honor his roots and his parents, both Mexican immigrants. He claimed there was nothing in the graduation dress code pertaining to flags and said he feels he did nothing wrong. "At the end, you know, we came out with it," Lopez said as he emerged from the high school with his diploma.