A Brooklyn valedictorian who was denied her diploma last month after she blasted the horrible conditions at her high school was honored by the city council yesterday.

School administrators last month cut short Tiffany Schley's graduation speech, which offered a blistering picture of overcrowded classrooms, unqualified teachers and revolving door management. They refused at the time to hand over her diploma, demanding that she first apologize.

After the Daily News reported Schleys free-speech fight, the feisty teen was flooded with calls of support and her story was picked up around the world.

She eventually got her diploma after embarassed school officials backed away from demands that she apologize. "Tiffany, we are so proud of you" Council Speaker Gifford Miller (D-Manhattan) told Schley as he presented her with an official proclamation honoring her courage.

Return to Previous page