Will Lester/Staff Photographer
Jurupa Valley high school senior Josh Denhalter, walks back to his seat after receiving his diploma Wednesday evening June 21, 2006 in Jurupa. Denhalter has been an outspoken opponent on illegal immigration.
Posted on 06/22/2006 9:45:09 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
MIRA LOMA - Josh Denhalter took the symbolic step into the next phase of his life without any fuss.
Little applause, but no discernible boos or honking party horns, greeted the announcement of his name Wednesday evening at the Jurupa Valley High School graduation.
That is likely the way the 18-year-old wanted it.
Denhalter received considerable media attention in March, after he was suspended from school for passing out fliers for an off-campus anti-illegal immigration protest.
School district Superintendent Elliott Duchon has said Denhalter wasn’t suspended for expressing himself, but because he refused to stop passing out fliers and encouraging students to leave campus during school hours.
Last week, his request to wear an anti-illegal immigration T-shirt during his last days of school was denied by the Riverside County Superior Court. Denhalter is suing the Jurupa Unified School District for violating his First Amendment rights.
Duchon said the shirt did not comply with the school’s dress code.
But Wednesday night, Denhalter was polite, smiling and kept a low-key demeanor, while wearing sunglasses, dress slacks, mortarboard and graduation gown. He talked with his classmates as he sat and waited for his turn to approach the podium.
Then the moment arrived. Denhalter’s name was called, he walked across the stage, smiled for a picture and exited down the ramp and back to his seat.
In an earlier interview, Denhalter said he had no plans to make any political statements during the ceremony.
‘‘Graduation is kind of a day for celebration, and it would be wrong for me to use it as a platform,’’ said Denhalter early Wednesday. ‘‘I will try to enjoy it as best as I can and let other parents enjoy their time.’’
Denhalter plans to join the Marine Corps this summer.
Some other graduates elicited more noise, as many were met with loud horns, yells from their friends and family as well as fervent applause.
As with any large gathering of young adults, there were moments of levity. The most memorable one was when William Rendall, 2006 valedictorian, uttered a mild curse after he had some trouble with his speech.
Many of his fellow students laughed and applauded as he regained his composure and finished his comments with no further difficulty.
Jurupa Valley high school senior Josh Denhalter, walks back to his seat after receiving his diploma Wednesday evening June 21, 2006 in Jurupa. Denhalter has been an outspoken opponent on illegal immigration.
Keyword Jurupa for some background
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=jurupa
The hope of America, he is discerning and he is a natural leader..........Good for us and good for him....
Congratulations, young man.
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