A North Carolina high school student was apparently denied his diploma after wearing a Mexican flag over his graduation gown during the school's graduation ceremony.

He, his friends and classmates and others are calling on the district to not only give him his diploma but reevaluate how students are allowed to celebrate their heritage.

At last check, Ever Lopez still does not have that diploma he's so anxious to have.

In a statement, the school district said students were told ahead of time that wearing a flag of any kind would be a dress code violation.

Students from Asheboro High, other schools, parents and Ever himself met outside the high school Friday to demand ever receive his diploma.

"It means a lot - everyone out here supporting me," said Ever Lopez. "All love and stuff. I never knew it would come to this. I don't see it as a distraction. I'm just representing what I came from."

According to a district spokesperson, approximately 52 percent of the student body at Asheboro High School identify as hispanic.