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Brad Watson reports.

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A Duncanville High School senior can't walk with her fellow graduates at Friday night’s commencement because of a controversial decision by the school's principal.

Juana Lopez put on her cap and gown at home.

But she won't be wearing them at commencement at the Dallas Convention Center, after her principal ruled she couldn't participate.

“I said please, please, please many times but I guess he had no in his mind," she said.

Lopez finished her senior year with a 3.7 grade point average. She was a member of the student council and French Honor Society.

But when commencement rehearsal time came Thursday morning, her mother, Maria Ramos, developed a painful migraine headache, leaving her unable to drive.

Ramos explained that behind the wheel, “it's really dangerous for myself, my daughter.”

Not holding her own driver's license, Lopez took off, walking 2.3 miles to the high school.

She says she arrived at 11 a.m., well past the 10 a.m. mandatory rehearsal time.

A district spokeswoman confirmed that principal Mike Chrietzberg disqualified Lopez, since the rule to be there on time and for the entire rehearsal, is clear and firm.

“I just took it like very badly because it's something that I've been waiting for," Lopez said.

Determined to explain why she was late, Lopez wrote a letter that seven of her teachers signed Friday, urging the principal to reconsider.

He didn't.

The district declined an on camera interview.

She'll keep the cap and gown she bought for $40 but will have no commencement memories to go along with them.

“It's nice to actually walk across the stage and receive a diploma and your cap and gown and I guess that didn't happen and yes, I was real crushed," she said.

Lopez still gets a diploma.

She plans to attend Mountain View College.

E-mail bwatson@wfaa.com.