Senior Kicked Out Of School Over Can Of Beer
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KAUFMAN (CBSDFW.COM) - His graduation gown is a waste. The honor chords he earned -- meaningless.
Kicked out of school just days before graduation, Kaufman High School senior Quintin Walker won't get to walk at the ceremonies and his mother says it's all her fault.
Quintin Walker said the district police K9 unit at Kaufman High School recently discovered one 8oz can of Bud Light in a cooler sitting in the back of his truck.
Walker said he was suspended and cited for minor consumption. He was then told he could not attend any school functions, including graduation.
"I worked 12 years to walk across that stage," said Walker.
Walker said he did not know the small can of beer was in his cooler. He said police found it amongst several bottles of water and soda in a warm cooler drained of any water or ice.
"It was very heart-breaking. He worked really hard and I felt like it was my fault," said Jarita Marshall, his mother.
Marshall said it is her fault. She said she mistakenly forgot to take out the can after a weekend family trip to the lake.
"It's not right. It's not fair to him," said Marshall.
The Kaufman ISD district superintendent Dr. Lori Blaylock would not speak about the incident on camera. She said according to code, if any student is suspended and sent to a disciplinary alternative education program, the student cannot participate in any school function.
"Make a good judgement call. I know that they got rules but it seems like a no-brainer," said Rusty Evans, the father of Walker.
Walker said regardless if he walks on graduation, he will soon head to Stephen F. Austin State University to pursue engineering. But he said if he does not get to walk, it would be a terrible way to leave home.
"Twelve years over one 8oz beer can. It's just crazy," said Walker.
Graduation at Kaufman High School is Friday. Walker is hoping something changes in time that would allow him to participate.
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