friday night was graduation night for 48 students and their families at tnt academy in stone mountain, georgia. the evening was winding down when principal and founder of the school, nancy gordeuk, mistakenly dismissed parents and students before the class valedictorian could give a speech. she then attempted to get the audience s attention. here s how she went about it. forgive me for being so rude to not listen to this speech. it was my fault that we missed it in the program. look who is leaving. all the black people. that prompted a reaction. and then apology from ms. gordeuk where she blamed her outburst on satan. the devil was in the house and came out of my mouth she wrote to academy parents. i deeply apologize and hope forgiveness is in your hearts. today ms. gordeuk described the evening s events to reporters.
to academy parents. i deeply apologize and hope forgiveness is in your hearts. today ms. gordeuk described the evening s events to reporters. and i said you re being rude. and disrespectful to in young man. and i looked left and the light, as you know lights in an auditorium. you look left all i saw were black people getting up and leaving. and i said oh look who is leaving, all the black people. so i made a statement. it wasn t a racist remark. anybody that knows me knows my heart is with these kids. joining me now, linda haywood, son johnnie bird. johnnie graduated friday night. both he and his mom were in the room when the principal made her remarks. welcome to you both. johnnie, let me start with you. first of all congratulations on your graduation. i understand you re joining the army soon. yes, i am. all right. so what was your feeling about principal gordeuk before this ceremony this evening?