After a South Hardin High School senior learned she would not be allowed to walk at graduation, over 3,000 people have signed an online petition calling for the district to let her cross the stage.

The South Hardin School District refused to accept Jaidyn Teske as a graduate due to a technicality with her freshman year homeschool credits, according to a petition made by her older brother.

Dr. Adam Sellmer, the district’s superintendent, referred to the requirements needed in order to graduate high school at South Hardin.

After a petition  was circulated in support of Teske, community members questioned why she can’t walk at graduation.

Sellmer noted that every year there are students who do not meet the district’s graduation requirements for a variety of reasons.  While those students are not allowed to participate in the actual commencement ceremony, the district still makes every effort to recognize them in different ways throughout their senior year.

As far as how colleges handle the process of accepting applicants with outside credits compared to high schools, Zellmer noted it’s two different sets of requirements.

Teske is set to play volleyball at Northwestern College in Orange City this fall.