Graduation Disrupted by Shoe Policy
CYBELLE RIO JHANE HEMBRA — A graduating student shared the heartbreaking story of how her graduation day turned into a painful memory — all because of a pair of shoes she had worked hard to buy.
As a college student, Cybelle earned her own money from side jobs and saved enough to finally buy herself a pair of black Parisian closed shoes for 400 pesos. It was a proud moment for her since it was the first branded pair of shoes she had bought with her own money. The school required “plain black closed shoes” for the ceremony, and since there were no specific details or pictures provided, she thought her shoes would be acceptable.
On graduation day, excited and happy, she walked into the Iloilo Convention Center with her mother. But her joy quickly faded when a faculty member stopped her, saying her shoes weren’t allowed because they had straps. Even after removing the straps, another marshal still refused to let her proceed, saying the shoes still didn’t meet the requirements. Cybelle tried to explain that she had no extra pair of shoes and couldn’t afford to buy another one at that moment. Still, they insisted she leave through a side exit.
While waiting outside, Cybelle saw other graduates wearing shoes that also didn’t fully meet the supposed standards — some had silver designs, others had straps — yet they were allowed inside. She felt helpless and frustrated, wondering why there was no consideration for those who simply couldn’t afford another pair.
Eventually, with the support of her friends’ parents who tried to comfort her, she was allowed back inside. But by then, her mother was no longer permitted to enter because they had been marked late. Hoping to at least walk the stage, she got in line. However, before her turn, a staff member quietly told her to borrow a classmate’s shoes. Fighting back tears, she quickly switched shoes, trying not to lose her chance to receive her diploma.
Although she made it on stage, the experience left her deeply hurt. Instead of celebrating her achievement, she spent the rest of the ceremony feeling sad and drained. What should have been one of the happiest days of her life was ruined by a simple misunderstanding and a lack of compassion over a pair of shoes she had worked so hard to buy.
Related Post: Antique School Principal Orders Students to Remove Togas During Graduation