New Jersey valedictorian cut off during graduation speech on mental health, LGBTQ identity

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Shortly after the principal tried to force Bryce Dershem to read pre-approved remarks, another figure handed him a replacement microphone. Instead of picking up from the school approved speech, Dershem picked up from where he left off — from memory.

Bryce Dershem, who graduated top of the class at Eastern Regional High School in Voorhees said his school principal "crumpled" his speech.The queer valedictorian of a New Jersey high school said his graduation speech was cut short by a school administrator who did not want the top student to talk about his LGBTQ identity or mental health struggles.and said he felt"censored" by an administrator's efforts to halt his speech.

Instead of picking up from the school approved speech, Dershem picks up from where he left off — from memory — to cheers from the crowd. In an interview with NBC News on Thursday, Dershem said he hoped his speech would help"to make people feel less alone." School administrators told NBC News that students are guided by the principal through the speech writing process and all speeches are approved beforehand.

 

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Well-done, Bryce Dershem!! (EC always had a lot of work to do on figuring out what compassion & inclusion really mean. Thanks for helping them along the way, by speaking the truth they needed to hear!).

He is a small insignificant part of a frivolous micro minority. He has a mental illness for which he must be treated AND for which society MUST be punished for fostering this as some sort of norm.

And you media celebrate indiscipline. Most kids and their parents were there to celebrate theirs own educational achievements, and not to get pushed with lifestyle propaganda

Ha! Principal attempts to censor speech; ensures entire world hears it.

I’ll pay the bills of the first 5 people to dm me 🎖💯💵

You go kid! I tried several times to kill myself as a child and it was hell. I didn't graduate because of it. We deserve a voice. Thank you.

We need the principals name who tried to censor him.

So I didn’t read the story what was so bad about his speech?

“Really Like” 👏❤️✊🤍💪💙✌️🖤🇺🇸🤎🆓💛🌈🇺🇸🔉🗣🔊🌍✅

Your speech is your speech. Not someone else's.

Screw the principal. Good for Bruce Dershem for speaking his mind mane.

Well done Bryce

Jersey proud!!!! What a brave kid.

Good for him!

those speculations not so correct Losing weight, girls' dream But he lost weight He's really concerned for economic numbers

you know I don't think it's useless, right?

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