The parent of a Manitowoc Lincoln student is raising concerns about a student who will be participating in the upcoming graduation ceremony.
Jamie Seal is the mother of the student who was attacked in a bathroom on October 9th, 2025, leading to severe injuries.
When recalling the attack, Ryen Seal, who was interviewed alongside his mother, recalled going into the bathroom shortly after arriving at school.
That is where he ran into now 18-year-old Nery Torres-Delgado.
“Someone called me the B-word…I walked out, and I walked back in, and I was like, What? And then he swung, punched me right in my face,” Ryen recalled. “And then he just kept on punching me.”
Ryen, who said he had never met this other student, woke up on the floor of the bathroom, collected himself, and walked out of the school up to Red Arrow Park, where he met his mother, who took him to the hospital.
Jamie couldn’t go into specifics, but she said Ryen’s injuries were so severe that he has been told he will never be medically cleared to play football again, a sport he was truly passionate about, and he will need medical support for quite a while.
“He will have some alterations to his education plan,” she noted. “And he will be on medications and have specialists at Children’s Hospital for the rest of his youth.”
Torres-Delgado was arrested later that day on charges of Child Abuse, Intentionally Causing Harm, and Disorderly Conduct, and was ordered at his initial bail hearing to have no contact with Ryen or the Manitowoc Lincoln premises.
However, at his most recent hearing, Judge Mark Rohrer issued an order allowing Torres-Delgado to participate in the graduation ceremony as he was able to complete his school work from home.
“To my knowledge, after talking to the superintendent, because of how early in the school year this incident happened, it was never written into a behavioral modification plan for somebody that not marching at graduation, be part of those consequences,” she explained. “It just wasn’t apparently thought about in October.”
Jamie clarified that she is not opposed to Torres-Delgado graduating.
She is just frustrated that he will get to participate in one of the most iconic graduation ceremonies in the state despite an ongoing court case.
“I just feel that he should have to go in in summer and pick up his diploma. I just don’t feel that he should get to put on that suit and march down those stairs as a proud representative of Lincoln,” she elaborated.
Jamie also added, “Lincoln had an opportunity to hold the individual accountable, set a clear standard, and demonstrate that this type of behavior will not be tolerated. Instead, we feel that the school has failed us for a second time. By not taking stronger action, they missed an important chance to support the victim, reinforce accountability, and send a message that student safety and well-being are priorities.”
When asked if he felt safe at Manitowoc Lincoln High School, Ryen gave a simple answer. “No.”
We reached out to Manitowoc Public School District Superintendent Lee Thennes for a comment.
While he said he couldn’t say much, due to student privacy concerns, Thennes did say, “The Manitowoc Public School District recognizes that there are a variety of pathways through which students may successfully complete their educational journey. In this case, the student met all academic requirements established by the District, earned the necessary credits, and satisfied the graduation requirements set forth by the school district and the State of Wisconsin.
Throughout this process, the student complied with the expectations, restrictions, and requirements established by both the District and the court system. The student’s eligibility to participate in graduation-related activities was reviewed, and the restrictions that had previously prevented participation are no longer in effect. In addition, the court established specific conditions regarding the student’s participation in graduation practice and the commencement ceremony, and the District will ensure those conditions are followed.
MPSD remains committed to consistently applying its policies, practices, and procedures while acting in accordance with all applicable laws and legal directives. At the same time, the safety and well-being of our students, staff, families, and guests remain our highest priority. Appropriate measures have been put in place to help ensure a safe and orderly environment during graduation practices and the commencement ceremony.
Torres-Delgado is due back in court on July 14th for a scheduling confernce.
