High school graduates in Tennessee accept diplomas in the rain

(CBS, KYMA) - Diplomas were not the only thing students at a central Tennessee high school graduation ceremony received Thursday as torrential rainfall soaked graduates.

Footage captured by Victoria Burls shows her daughter, Gabriella, receiving her diploma as the downpour blasted the ceremony stage at Centennial High School in Franklin.

Burls told Storyful that though the situation was not ideal, her daughter "wasn't mad about it."

"It made for an iconic graduation night for her! Everyone out there were mostly in high spirits and excited because it was still graduation night," she said.

The high school said, in a statement to Fox 17, that based on weather forecasts, it had expected to complete Thursday night's ceremony before the next wave of rain began.

"We know the rain made Thursday night's graduations challenging, and we appreciate the patience of our families. Each year, many of our schools choose to hold ceremonies on our football fields because students and families have shared how meaningful it is to celebrate this milestone on campus, and it allows more loved ones to attend," it said.

Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) called the situation "ridiculous."

"The school should have organized graduation indoors. The graduates and their families deserved a nice ceremony. By the way, their parents are tax payers that fund the school and administrator's salaries. Being treated this way should not be tolerated," former Rep. Greene said.