Kind Hearted Louisiana Teacher Gives High School Senior His Shoes

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Louisiana has been the butt of many jokes over the last couple of years as we finish at the top of the "bad" lists and at the bottom of "good" lists.

But, a story from recently published by USA Today put one of our Louisiana educators in such a positive light, it made me swell with pride.

Having a high school senior myself, that just a couple of weeks ago, graduated from Haughton High School, I was familiar with the dress code enforced by many school administrators for these ceremonies.

Such was the case for Hahnville High School in Boutte, Louisiana. As the school prepared for graduation on May 19, one of the school's representatives stopped Daverius Peters at the door, and wouldn't allow him to enter, because of the shoes he was wearing.

They strictly enforce their dress code and one of the requirements is that all male graduates must wear dark dress shoes. Athletic shoes are not allowed.

Peters was wearing a pair of Alexander McQueen tennis shoes. Though, very stylish, the shoes weren't deemed appropriate for the ceremony.

With only minutes left until doors are closed for graduation, Peters goes into a panic. That's when teacher, John Butler, stepped in to save the day. In his Facebook post, Butler explains,

 He’s like, Mr. John they won’t let me graduate because I don’t have the proper shoes for the dress code. He says the lady down there said I can’t walk to get my diploma because of the shoes I’m wearing. In total disbelief I go down to confirm. And sure enough she tells me the same thing.

So what does Mr. Butler, who has a daughter who was also about to graduate, do?  He bends over and removes his own shoes from his feet; gives them to Peters, and attends the ceremony in only his socks.

The moment did have its humor as Butler relayed,

My shoes were 2 sizes bigger than his, so when his name was called, he had to slide his feet like Sleestak across the stage to receive his diploma

Problem solved!  Thank you Mr. Butler and congratulations Daverius!