The principal of a Georgia alternative high school has been fired after her racist graduation comments went public.
Nancy Gordeuk, the principal of TNT Academy, sparked outrage when she tried to get black people to listen to the valedictorian give a speech during a graduation ceremony.
Gordeuk mistakenly dismissed the graduation class and their families before the valedictorian, who is white, had given his speech..
The valedictorian’s mother who was sitting in the front row, reminded Gordeuk that her son had not given his speech yet.
By that time, half of the audience was already out in the hall. Gordeuk approached the microphone and called for the families and graduates to return to the auditorium.
“You people are being so rude to not listen to this speech,” Gordeuk said as the audience continued to file out.
“Look who’s leaving — all the black people,” said Gordeuk, who is white.
At that point, the audience exploded and many of them walked out. Some of the audience members approached the podium and chastised Gordeuk for her racist statements. The hubbub was caught on video.
Georgia NAACP president Francys Johnson confirmed to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution had been fired.
WXIA-TV reported Dr. Heidi Anderson, chair of the board of directors of TNT Academy, wrote in a letter to the Gwinnett County NAACP that the board had voted to fire Gordeuk.
“In light of recent events, the board of directors of TNT Academy has moved to dismiss Nancy Gordeuk as principal,” Anderson said. “During the coming transition, we will continue to prioritize support for our most recent graduates. Moreover, we will continue our commitment to providing students with the best educational classes, transcription services and academic credit recovery possible.”
“It’s just very sad,” Jada Gibson told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday. She was there to attend the graduation of her cousin.
