Texas school in hot water over ‘most likely to become terrorist’ certificate

Only offensive certificates included “most likely to blend in with white people” and “most likely to be homeless in Guatemala”.

A school in Houston, Texas, has come under heavy criticism after some of its students received mock certificates awarding them, among other things, for being “most likely to become a terrorist”.

The students said three teachers were laughing as the certificates were being handed out. (via KPRC 2 Houston)

Nor was this the only offensive certificate. Others included “most likely to blend in with white people” and “most likely to be homeless in Guatemala”.

The teacher at Anthony Aguirre Junior High reportedly “honoured” students in an advanced learning class with the certificates on May 23 — a day after a deadly blast in Manchester left 22 people dead. According to the students, three other teachers, who have not been identified, were “laughing while the certificates were being handed out”.

“It was not a joke. I do not feel comfortable with this... I do not feel comfortable being in the same classroom with [the teacher],” Lizeth Villanueva, who was given the “terrorist” certificate, was quoted by CNN as saying.

The school administration has released a statement apologising for the incident.

“ Aguirre Administration would like to first of all apologise for the insensitive and offensive fake mock awards that were given to students after the official school awards ceremony had concluded. As principal, I want to assure all students, parents, and community members that these award statements and ideals are NOT representative of the Aguirre Vision, Mission, and educational goals for its students. An investigation will be launched into these events,” the statement, released on Twitter said.