Teacher Goes Shoeless to Help Student Barred from Graduation for Wearing the Wrong Shoes

In Louisiana, a generous teacher named John Butler made it possible for Daverius Peters, a high school senior, to walk across the stage to accept his diploma.

On May 19, Daverius Peters, 18, almost missed his graduation from high school, since he wore sneakers instead of the dress shoes required by the school. Luckily, teacher John Butler helped him out.

Peters was refused entrance to the ceremony's venue by officials from Hahnville High School in Boutte, Louisiana, for wearing black leather sneakers that violated the dress code, he told the Washington Post.

Male students were required to wear dark dress shoes and no athletic footwear to the event, according to the school's graduation dress code. Concerning being denied entry, Peters said:

"I was in shock. I felt humiliated. I just wanted to walk across the stage and get my diploma."

As Peters walked past the convention center, he saw Butler, a paraeducator at the school. The daughter of Butler, who is a popular staff member among the students, was also graduating from Hahnville.

As for Peters's parents, they were extremely distressed after hearing what had happened.

Upon approaching Butler, Peters requested assistance. Following the school representative's refusal to negotiate, Butler took off his tan loafers to give to Peters so he could go inside with his classmates.

The shoes didn't fit perfectly, so the teacher sat in his socks while Peters wobbled in his huge loafers. The audience was surprised when the Peters walked across the stage in poorly fitting shoes.

Ahead of future graduation ceremonies, Butler said he intends to meet with school officials to discuss the rules, as he believes that something as small should not rob a student of such a momentous occasion.

Stevie Crovetto, Hahnville High's director of public information, reportedly said administrators are reviewing the incident. As for Peters's parents, they were extremely distressed after hearing what had happened.

In related news, the January 2020 suspension of Texas student DeAndre Arnold was because he did not cut his long dreadlocks. The student was suspended from the classroom based on the policy.

Meanwhile, a recent prank at Comfort High School in Texas, which involved placing plastic forks on the field, led to the suspension of approximately 40 seniors for two weeks.