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'Heartbreaking:' Mother says cheerleader with special needs was left out of Clayton High School yearbook

In a now-viral Facebook post, Nancy Norris claimed her daughter, Abby Norris, was left out of the school yearbook.

Posted Updated

By
Aaron Thomas
, WRAL reporter
CLAYTON, N.C. — A Johnston County school is under fire after a mother called out the school for excluding her daughter with special needs from the yearbook.

The mother, Nancy Norris, claimed her daughter, Abby Norris, was left out of the Clayton High School yearbook. She shared her frustration in a Facebook post. As of Tuesday night, the post has been shared over 2,500 times.

Nancy Norris believes the mistake should never have happened.

"The one group picture is of everyone except for Abby, with every individual cheerleader listed," Norris said. "Whoever turned this in had to have had knowledge of every cheerleader."

Abby is allowed to participate in activities at her base school while she attends virtual academy. While her spirit shines bright under the Friday night lights, the yearbook omission was discouraging.

"It was very heartbreaking to me," Abby said.

WRAL News reached out to Johnston County Public Schools and was provided the following statement:

“While we cannot comment on specific student matters due to confidentiality, we listen and respond appropriately to all concerns brought forth by our families, students, and staff. We investigate all concerns brought to our attention and handle them swiftly and as the circumstances warrant.”

Nancy Norris told WRAL News the person in charge of the yearbook apologized and has promised to do something special for her daughter next year, with her own page in the yearbook.

Abby has already seen an outpouring of support from the community. The support has made her excited for cheerleading next year, and her mother hopes this doesn't happen again to someone else.

"I'm hoping we can prevent this, cut back on this and do more inclusion," the mother said.

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