S.C. Mom Charged After Cheering at Graduation

June 08--FLORENCE -- Graduations are supposed to be joyous occasions to celebrate, but how much celebrating is too much?

That's the major dilemma area school and law enforcement officials face each year as commencement time rolls around in the spring.

And it's not the students that pose the problem, officials say. It's the parents.

Florence School District 1 officials said their principals have tried to be proactive in establishing clear rules and protocol for graduation in letters sent home to parents weeks before the ceremonies.

Still, four people -- all family members of graduates -- were arrested on disorderly conduct charges during the Wilson and South Florence commencement services at the Florence Civic Center on Saturday.

Shannon Cooper was first to be arrested when she cheered for her daughter. Then, two other family members, Giovanni McElveen and Sherrell Alexander, took up the cause and cheered, leading to their arrest, police said.

A fourth person was charged at the Wilson graduation, police say.

"All of our principals send out letters outlining the proper behavior during the ceremonies," Florence School District 1 Director of Public Information Pam Little-McDaniel said. "They also make an announcement at the beginning of the ceremonies, going back over the rules."

A letter sent to the parents of South Florence seniors states the following: "In keeping with the idea that graduation is a solemn and dignified ceremony, we will conduct a formal graduation. Because every graduate deserves to hear his/her name called, family and guests should be strongly urged to refrain from whistling, yelling, screaming or applauding for any one student or groups of students. Please become familiar with the appropriate behavior and share these expectations with your family and guests."

The letter goes on to warn that law enforcement officers would escort any student, family member or guest from the graduation program should his or her behavior become disruptive.

Florence Police Chief Anson Shells said that's exactly what officers did during the South Florence commencement program after three women were asked several times to refrain from screaming during the announcement of graduates.

"The officers did give them a chance to calm down, because they understand it's a joyous occasion and people get excited. But from what I am told, these ladies did not heed those warnings and, in fact, became more disruptive when warned," Shells said. "So unfortunately, yes, they were escorted out of the ceremonies and charged with disorderly conduct.

"Believe me, the last thing we want to be doing is locking anyone up during a graduation and ruining their big moment. But these people were ruining the moment for others, and we have to look at the big picture. We're there to make sure everybody can enjoy graduation. It's OK to express your joy, but to express it to the point of being disorderly is not acceptable."

Unfortunately, Shells said, the South Florence incident was not the only gradation-related situation of the day. That incident received attention from national press.

During Wilson High's commencement ceremony, a man was arrested on disorderly conduct charges after he became belligerent, cursing loudly at an officer who told him he could not save a row of seats for family members.

"It's unfortunate that these situations occur during what are supposed to be happy occasions, and I hate to say it, but it seems to be getting worse from year to year," Shells said. "These are not extreme rules we have in place. They apply to any public event. Anytime people are at a big event like this, they need to remember there are other people there and their rights are just as important. It's never all right to become disruptive and disorderly."

Copyright 2012 - Florence Morning News, S.C.