A white father caused a major disturbance at a high school graduation ceremony in Wisconsin when he rushed onto the stage and physically prevented his daughter from shaking hands with the Black superintendent. The incident occurred at Baraboo High School, a school that previously gained notoriety in 2018 for a photo showing students performing the Nazi salute.
Shocking Graduation Disruption
During the graduation ceremony last Friday, as the man's daughter approached Superintendent Rainey Briggs to receive her diploma and shake hands, her father suddenly jumped onto the stage. He grabbed Superintendent Briggs by the arm and forcefully pulled him away from his daughter, shouting "I don't want her touching him" and "That's my daughter."
Footage from the ceremony shows the superintendent responding with "You better get up off me man" as the two moved off camera. School officials immediately intervened, with three Baraboo police officers including the school resource officer rushing to the scene. The father was subsequently escorted off school property by officers.
District Response and Community Reaction
Baraboo School District spokesperson Hailey Wagner confirmed that the district has referred a disorderly conduct charge against the man to the Sauk County District Attorney's Office. "We would like to emphasize that the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community members is a top priority," Wagner stated in an official statement.
The incident sparked immediate condemnation on social media, with community members expressing outrage at what many described as blatant racism. "Some bigot interceded to stop his white daughter from touching a black man on stage, in 2024," one Facebook user commented. Another added, "This is absolutely wild that this isn't already being called out for the outright racism that it is."
School's Troubled History
This is not the first time Baraboo High School has faced controversy related to racial issues. In 2018, the school made national headlines when a photo emerged showing several current and former male students performing the Nazi salute before their junior prom. One student in the front row was also seen making an "OK" hand gesture, a symbol that has been co-opted by far-right and white supremacist movements.
At the time, then-Superintendent Lori Mueller stated that the photo "is not reflective of the educational values and beliefs of the School District of Baraboo." However, the district ultimately determined it could not punish the students due to free speech protections, noting they could not "know the intentions in the hearts of those who were involved."
Broader Context and Tensions
The graduation incident occurred amid ongoing tensions between the school district and some parents. According to local reports, several parents have voiced complaints about superintendent compensation and "management of district resources," with some even attempting to recall School Board President Kevin Vodak.
Superintendent Rainey Briggs, who is Black, was hired in 2021 to lead the district. The identity of the father involved in the graduation incident has not been publicly released to protect his daughter's privacy.
The Baraboo School District has been contacted for further comment regarding both the graduation incident and the broader community tensions surrounding district leadership and policies.
