Principal Fired At Philly High School After Graduation Controversy

PHILADELPHIA — About a month after Philadelphia High School for Girls graduate Hafsah Abdul-Rahman did not get her diploma at the school's commencement, the principal has been replaced.

The school replaced former Principal Lisa Mesi with Janis Butler, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Butler was described as a "substitute principal" in a letter to the school community sent by Philadelphia School District Associate Superintendent Tomás Hanna.

The ouster comes on the heels of a viral story about Abdul-Rahman, 17, doing the "griddy" dance, popularized by athletes and video games, across the stage at her school's graduation ceremony in early June.

Her dance led to attendees laughing, which apparently violated the school's policy on cheering and clapping during commencement ceremonies.

Mesi withheld her diploma, but Abdul-Rahman was later given the diploma after the ceremony.

Abdul-Rahman said she did the dance in honor of her sister, who died after being struck by a stray bullet in 2014.

Three other students did not get their diplomas during the ceremony, as well.

"The District does not condone the withholding of earned diplomas based on family members cheering for their graduates," a statement from the district reads. "We apologize to all the families and graduates who were impacted and are further looking into this matter to avoid it happening in the future."

Mesi's tenure as principal began in 2019, Action News reports.

According to Fox 29, Mesi received death threats following news of her denying the diplomas.

Butler's time as principal is temporary, according to the letter.