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For most high schoolers, graduation day is a culmination of four years of hard work and dedication.

"It was exciting to walk across the stage."

But, for honor student Caisha Gayles, what began as a happy occasion became anything but.

"There was a little cheering, em, like they said my name. There was some cheering for, like, five seconds. And then that was it. I hadn't even went over to shake Mr. Chiles' hand or get my diploma at all before it was done."

But high school officials say those five seconds of cheering were enough to withhold her diploma.

"It was disrespectful, I think, to our community."

After a very rowdy graduation two years ago, Assistant Superintendent Joel Estes explains, the school district adopted a zero-tolerance approach to the graduation ceremony, making graduates and their families sign a behavior contract.

"That said they would refrain from these kinds of outbursts and celebrations, that we were going to be in order, and it was going to be honorable and, and dignified, so that everybody could hear their name."

But, for Caisha and her mother, that explanation is not enough.

"That's why I don't understand why it's a big issue. You know, it wasn't even disrupting the ceremony."

"I'm not angry at my family at all. I'm glad they cheered for me, because it's my day. You know, I graduated. You know, they are proud of me. And I'm glad that they showed that they are proud of me."

Now, all that's left of what Caisha says should have been the happiest day of her high school career are these withering balloons, a sad reminder of what she's missing.

"All I want is that little piece of paper. I want to frame it and put it on my wall."