Mena Nidal Farhoud, a 16-year-old Palestinian American, achieved an incredible milestone by graduating early from Wharton High School. 

But on what should have been a joyous day, her moment was stolen. 

As Mena walked to receive her diploma, a teacher stopped her and demanded she remove her traditional Palestinian Kuffiyeh scarf—a symbol of her heritage and identity. When she refused, the school denied her diploma, turning a celebration into heartbreak. 

Her parents expressed their shock: “We are completely speechless and puzzled, still in shock that this happened here in the USA. We went from full of joy celebrating our 16-year-old daughter graduating early to full of disappointment over her not receiving her diploma.” 

This act of anti-Palestinian discrimination is unacceptable. Mena’s right to express her cultural identity was violated, and her academic achievement was unfairly withheld.

We demand that Wharton High School and Hillsborough County Public Schools: 

- Immediately award Mena her rightfully earned diploma. 

- Issue a formal, public apology for this discriminatory act. 

- Implement cultural sensitivity training to prevent future incidents. 

Stand with Mena against anti-Palestinian racism. 

Sign this petition to demand justice and ensure no student faces discrimination for embracing their heritage.

Together, we can make this right and celebrate Mena’s incredible accomplishment! 

Let’s reach 10,000 signatures to pressure Wharton High School to act swiftly!