Palestine - A senior at Palestine-Wheatley High School who is a letter grade short of graduation is giving his classmates a lesson in the power of the courts.

The student was cleared to take part in Friday night's graduation ceremony, but Brian Dode Martin had to sue for an injunction for the school board to allow him on stage.

Martin was 2.4 points shy of passing his 12th-grade English class. Since he would not have the four years of English needed for a diploma, Martin was told he couldn't graduate.

He still won't get a diploma until he makes up the credit. But Circuit Judge Ben Story ordered the district to allow Martin to be with his class, have his name called and cross the stage.

Superintendent Donnie Collins says Martin won't be handed a diploma or anything else when he walks across the stage.


(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

 Email To Friend