It's graduation season - and every student's dream is to walk up on the stage with their tassel and their gown, as the cameras flash, and the parents beam…to collect that diploma they've worked so hard for.
But, it didn't happen for Britney Molina - but that isn't because she failed. In fact, the fourth form Wesley Student passed, but she ran into some problems right before the graduation.
That left her on the outside, looking in - and that's where Monica Bodden found her last night, in her school uniform protesting against her own school's graduation.
Monica Bodden Reporting
One of the statements on this placard reads- "mistakes can be done at any age… accept you have failed as a principal."
Those words were written by former 4th form student of Wesley College - Britney Molina - who was not allowed to march up with her graduating class.
Instead she stood on the street side during the entire ceremony with a placard in her hands - and her family by her side.
Arcenia Bacab, Mother
"My daughter is supposed to graduate today at this moment. But Mrs. Armstrong has been punishing my daughter for two weeks saying that my daughter was caught in a problem and she didn't resolve it the day after it happen. If she had resolve it the next day that the incident happen - then this would have never happen because my daughter is supposed to get her diploma tonight but because she didn't think that she didn't do anything wrong and we didn't get any explanation from Mrs. Armstrong. That's why my daughter is not getting her diploma."
Britney Molina, Student
"The incident was about a girl who was caught with a guy having sexual intercourse at the park beside the House of Culture and supposedly the girl gave my name and Mrs. Armstrong did not attend to that until the week she came back and that was too late."
According to the Principal of Wesley College, the reason for Britney not marching up with the rest of her peers- isn't because of an incident which had happened some weeks ago - involving another
4th form Wesley College student who was caught having sexual intercourse in a Park and used Britney's name when police caught her - But instead it was because Britney did not attend any of the graduation practices.
Brenda Armstrong, Principal of Wesley College
"The school has always maintain that policy that students who would participate in our graduation exercises must attend the sessions in which we prepare for this activity. This student has not been in attendant at any of our preparatory sessions. As a result she is not eligible to participate in Wednesday night's activity. It is unfortunate that there are persons who have convince this young lady that after all our efforts of educating her that we would deprive her of the opportunity base on the allegation that she is making. It is totally, totally false."
But for this family, they are bitter at the entire incident and how it played out.
They say because of that one mischievous act of someone's stealing Britney's identity - and a principal who would not hear their cries - this 4th form student dreams of graduating was taken away from her.
Astrid Galvez, Aunt of student
"For that my niece have suffer the consequences of someone else action and that is unfair and my niece is very hurt and she can never bring back this day for her to walk up for that diploma. She can't say that tomorrow she will do over the graduation. She (Mrs. Armstrong) hasn't even apologized in saying that she (Britney) was impersonated by your best friend - using your name for having sexual intercourse at the park beside House of Culture. Now my niece is in pain. She will never forget this day."
Britney Molina, Student
I don't have the kind of words to express what I am feeling deep inside at this moment."
Monica Bodden
"And knowing that you are not in there…."
Britney Molina, Student
"Knowing that I am not in there and walking up to get my diploma is something I have always dream of."
Arcenia Bacab, Mother
"I feel is hard because I work hard for my children and then to see that this moment can't happen is very hard."
Britney Molina picked up her diploma this morning from Wesley College. The family told us they stood outside the gates of Holy Redeemer Parish Hall until the graduation was over and received many words of encouragement from those who were attending.
