During the graduation ceremony at Clayton High School in North Carolina, valedictorian Leen Hijaz was abruptly interrupted by Principal Melissa Moore as she began to speak on global issues, particularly the plight of Palestinians. Hijaz, who was concluding her speech, stated, 'Every single person here has a voice,' urging the audience to recognize the struggles faced by people in countries such as Palestine, Sudan, and Afghanistan. Her comments were met with applause, but the principal quickly intervened, pulling her from the microphone. Hijaz later revealed that school officials threatened to withhold her diploma if she continued. She expressed feeling oppressed by the school's actions, stating that while she was allowed to make brief prayers during her speech, her attempt to raise awareness about critical issues was met with resistance. Following the incident, Johnston County Public Schools confirmed that Hijaz did receive her diploma, emphasizing that their actions were intended to maintain the focus of the graduation ceremony.