By Sophie Hirsh, Allure
High school dress codes have been a topic of controversy over the last few years, with many students fighting back against the often-sexist rules that enforce the codes. By regulating what's appropriate for young women and girls to wear, schools often imply it's up to women to dress in a way that won't distract their male counterparts (it's not). With graduation season in full swing, yet another case of a dress code targeting a female student has arisen, reports WCNC.
[post_ads]The news outlet reports that Summer, a Hickory Ridge High School senior from North Carolina, was ultimately suspended from school and graduation due to a dress code violation. As seen in a photo shared by WCNC, Summer, who has a 4.4 GPA and a full scholarship to college where she plans to pursue a pre-med track, was wearing a loose, long-sleeved, off-the-shoulder green shirt. The principal — with whom Summer has butted heads before — reportedly approached Summer in the cafeteria and told her to put on a jacket, saying that her back was too exposed in the shirt. According to a report the news outlet obtained, Summer complied, covering herself with a friend's jacket.
However, since Summer reportedly told the principal, "My shirt is fine," he sent her to a room, called "the control room," to further press the issue. A school resource officer (a law enforcement officer who works in a school) was present, and Summer told WCNC that he had his hand on his gun. "I stayed in my seat just like a lot of role models that I have looked up to stayed in their seats," she told WCNC. "I mean, you have to stand up for what you believe in." The school resource officer was reportedly about to arrest Summer, when her mother, whom the principal had been trying to reach, finally called.
Ultimately, Summer was not arrested. Instead, she was given a 10-day suspension, banned from senior activities, including graduation, and the principal is "still considering expelling her," she says. The principal, however, cites the reason for her suspension as "insubordination." Summer's mom is planning to appeal the school's disciplinary decision.
[post_ads]"It's just sad because I worked so hard for four years to walk across that stage," she told WCNC. "We have drug dealers walking across that stage, we have sex offenders walking across that stage, and then the 4.4 student who showed her shoulders can't."
This is not the first time Hickory Ridge High School has made a controversial decision about a dress code. As reported by the Independent Tribune, 45 students at the school got in trouble this past fall for wearing leggings with shirts that did not reach their fingertips.
More on dress codes:
[post_ads]The news outlet reports that Summer, a Hickory Ridge High School senior from North Carolina, was ultimately suspended from school and graduation due to a dress code violation. As seen in a photo shared by WCNC, Summer, who has a 4.4 GPA and a full scholarship to college where she plans to pursue a pre-med track, was wearing a loose, long-sleeved, off-the-shoulder green shirt. The principal — with whom Summer has butted heads before — reportedly approached Summer in the cafeteria and told her to put on a jacket, saying that her back was too exposed in the shirt. According to a report the news outlet obtained, Summer complied, covering herself with a friend's jacket.
However, since Summer reportedly told the principal, "My shirt is fine," he sent her to a room, called "the control room," to further press the issue. A school resource officer (a law enforcement officer who works in a school) was present, and Summer told WCNC that he had his hand on his gun. "I stayed in my seat just like a lot of role models that I have looked up to stayed in their seats," she told WCNC. "I mean, you have to stand up for what you believe in." The school resource officer was reportedly about to arrest Summer, when her mother, whom the principal had been trying to reach, finally called.
Ultimately, Summer was not arrested. Instead, she was given a 10-day suspension, banned from senior activities, including graduation, and the principal is "still considering expelling her," she says. The principal, however, cites the reason for her suspension as "insubordination." Summer's mom is planning to appeal the school's disciplinary decision.
[post_ads]"It's just sad because I worked so hard for four years to walk across that stage," she told WCNC. "We have drug dealers walking across that stage, we have sex offenders walking across that stage, and then the 4.4 student who showed her shoulders can't."
This is not the first time Hickory Ridge High School has made a controversial decision about a dress code. As reported by the Independent Tribune, 45 students at the school got in trouble this past fall for wearing leggings with shirts that did not reach their fingertips.
More on dress codes:
