Published: Tuesday, Jun. 10, 2008 / Updated: Tuesday, Jun. 10, 2008 04:51 PM
Six arrested, accused of cheering at Fort Mill High School graduation
Six people were arrested for cheering at Fort Mill High School's commencement ceremony at Winthrop Coliseum Saturday, according to police reports.
Another man was arrested at the York Comprehensive High School commencement Friday morning, also at the Winthrop Coliseum, according to Rock Hill police reports.
Following a growing trend at high schools around the country, Fort Mill and York school officials asked Rock Hill police to monitor the graduation ceremonies and enforce the rules limiting cheers for individual graduates. District officials said the rule is in place to prevent loud cheers from drowning out the reading of the next graduate's name. Attendees were warned verbally and in writing that loud celebrations during the presentation of diplomas were strictly prohibited, the reports state.
In each instance, the suspects cheered for a specific graduate when his or her name was called. After their outburst, the suspects were taken into police custody and charged with public disorderly conduct. One man pulled away from an officer during the arrest and also was charged with resisting police.
The people arrested at the ceremonies ranged in age from 19 to 42.
Last year, three men were arrested for cheering for a graduate during the Fort Mill ceremony.
Fort Mill school officials could not be reached Monday.
Russell Booker, superintendent of York schools, said family and friends are encouraged to cheer at designated times during the ceremony.
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