CNN.com – Standing up for her dreams – June 20, 2002
Her hopes were dashed when the school’s principal said he would not allow her to walk across the stage. His reasons, Malikina says, included safety concerns, liability issues and a complaint she would take too long to cross.
It took her less than a minute to cross the stage at the graduation ceremony that was given to her by local businesses, including Philips Arena, the sports arena that adjoins CNN Center.
What a jerk. His message of intolerance and inflexibility rings loud and clear but not nearly so loudly as Masha Malikina’s one of determination and courage.