have anything, and then from there it just got heated. He said, 'Let's go now or I'll take you out in cuffs.' "

Outside the auditorium, the deputy threatened to arrest Lamy before Lamy took off his gown and threw it at the officer and walked out, according to Joyce.

"From outside, I heard the crowd booing and stuff," Lamy said.

Lamy said his mother picked up his diploma Monday because he was too upset to go back to the school.

"I kind of enjoyed my high school experience. It was a struggle for me, but I did enjoy it," said Lamy, who works full time as an auto mechanic and plans to take automotive and business courses. "After 13 years (of school), you'd think you'd be able to walk across that stage and take a deep breath and release it."

Staff Writer John Richardson can be contacted at 791-6324 or at: jrichardson@pressherald.com