Posted on 06/04/2013 11:44:25 AM PDT by rickmichaels
An Alabama teenager was denied her high school diploma and fined $1,000 for wearing a feather on her graduation cap to celebrate her Native American heritage.
Escambia Academy High School in Atmore, Ala., makes its students and staff sign a pre-graduation contract agreeing not to wear "extraneous items during graduation exercises unless approved by the administration."
Chelsey Ramer, 17, tried in vain to get approval to attach an eagle's feather to her graduation cap as a symbol of her Native culture.
"They told me that if I wore it that they would pull me off the field," Ramer, a member of the Poarch Creek Band, told NBC affiliate Local 15.
But Ramer wore it anyway and refused to sign the dress-code contract.
The school wouldn't give Ramer her diploma. She now has to fork over $1,000 to get it.
The teen, however, regrets nothing.
"It was worth it. It means a lot to me," Ramer said.
Lawyers are are descending on Atmore even as we speak..........About 100 miles from here.......
I wanted to bring a beer with me to honor my Irish heritage...
I take it then that you like to prance around naked in the grocery store?
There is none, but undesirable regimentation.
If you wish to be controlled, that is your perogative, but stay away from the rights of the rest of us.
I'm not sure the regimentation per se is necessarily the motivating sentiment behind the people who run this school.
From the Escambia Academy's handbook:
"RELIGION
"While Escambia Academy is not a church-sponsored school, it does strive to provide a Christian atmosphere for all of its participants. Every class has a daily devotion during homeroom. In most cases, this routine consists of prayer, Bible reading, and/or a devotional. Escambia Academy has a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club and other Christian groups, which serve to further this goal."
All schools want Lemmings nothing more nothing less!
What part of this being a private school do you not understand?
When I graduated from HS, a private school, there was a specific dress code for specific events - including graduation. Because our gowns were white - the dress code even included what colors we could not wear under the gowns.
I’m with you, but would say the fine is excessive.
If the feather meant that much to her she could have worn it under the hat, around her neck or under the gown or in her pocket.
This was meant to be external - not internal or spiritual.
Having sat through two of my daughter’s graduations from college I’ll have to say the Art department does the best job on the hats.
Why? On what grounds?
I see absolutely nothing “Christian” in their rule.
Yeshua never criticised the dress of the people.
What happened to the “freedom in Christ?”
Did she know Marlon Brando?
Never tried it; how has it worked out for you?
And some rules are stupid and in need of being broken. If you always follow the rules, even the stupid ones, then you are a sheep.
I suppose you always obey the speed limits and recycle everything you are supposed to recycle and would never be tempted to buy a 150 watt bulb or allow your children to sell lemonade on the sidewalk without first obtaining a city business license.
Does that adequately describe your attitude about the rules?
The little shit was successful in making a public ass out of herself and all the school is doing is proving that they too are idiots.
Good question. I don’t know Brando; does that count?
Actually, the swastika is more a native American symbol than a European one.
“If the rule weren’t arbitrary, there would be an obvious benefit to it.”
There IS an obvious benefit, having a serious dignified ceremony instead of a circus of “look a me” displays. Its not just HER ceremony, it belongs to all the students. Everyone else followed the rules, she didnt.
“There is none, but undesirable regimentation.”
Self control and putting others above yourself is not undesirable regimentation. What if she decided to jump up and down and do a war dance during the commencement address? Is that OK?
I break more than my share of stupid rules but I do it so that it doesnt impact others. And besides, what the heck kind of indian name is Chelsea Ramer? Sounds like a Long Island girl.
Perhaps a simple Shamrock.
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