Principal Apologizes After Racial Comment Clears Room at Graduation Ceremony

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A DeKalb County principal has apologized for racial remarks she made at the school graduation ceremony, remarks which caused an uproar on social media and made national headlines.

Nancy Gordeuk of TNT Academy allegedly dismissed the graduating class before letting the valedictorian speak, then tried to rectify the situation by calling everyone back. This move did not sit well with some parents, who left with their children anyway, according to the Washington Post.

Gordeuk told NBC News that she saw black families leaving the ceremony en masse, and was recorded on cell phone camera footage saying, “look who’s leaving … all the black people.” Gordeuk’s remarks caused a large portion of the assembly at the First Baptist Church of Lilburn to walk out in protest, WSB-TV said.

11 Alive News reports that Gordeuk blamed the devil for her outburst in an apology e-mail she sent out following the incident.

“I deeply apologize for my racist comment and hope that forgiveness in in your hearts,” the apology read in part.