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Viewers sound off after teen misses Homecoming because of overdue library book

By Colleen Hogan

CREATED Oct. 17, 2012 - UPDATED: Oct. 17, 2012

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  • Cypress Lake High School freshman Dominique Stearns thought it was a hoax when she was told she couldn't go to her homecoming dance. Video by fox4now.com

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  • Punished for reading? A high school freshman says she was blocked from going to home coming...because of an overdue library book. Video by fox4now.com

    video
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Cypress Lake High School freshman Dominique Stearns thought it was a hoax when she was told she couldn't go to her homecoming dance. 
 
She had to stay home on the special night because of an overdue library book but claims she didn't know when it was actually due. 
     
In a newsletter the school says students can't have any fees or fines to participate in extracurricular activities. 
 
But Dominique's mom says the punishment doesn't fit the crime. “He's not being punished because she got into a fight or anything like that she's getting punished because she has an overdue library book for reading its ridiculous.”
 
Most of you agreed like Nancy from Fort Myers.  "I think that's absolutely ludicrous. I think once she found out that she had an overdue library book and she offered why what she not allowed to go?"
 
One viewer wrote us in a text message saying: "They are kids. Let them be kids. They forget just like adults do!"
 
Margaret from Fort Myers says it's not Dominique's fault.
"I think the school should apologize to her because she did not have a return date marked on it which is the fault of the person who checked out the book."
 
Carol from Fort Myers however says the school did the right thing.  “I think she should not go to the dance because she didn't follow the rules."
 
The school district says it can't comment on anything involving students as that information by law is “private and confidential."