A Louisiana high school valedictorian was told he could not participate in his school’s graduation ceremony because his beard violated dress code.
Amite High School senior and valedictorian Andrew Jones talked to local news outlet WWL about being denied to take part in his graduation.
In his interview, Jones told WWL that school officials asked him to shave his beard, and when he did not comply they took his gown.
“Eventually they took my gown,” Jones told the reporter, “They told me they had to take my gown from me.”
According to the school district’s dress code, no male student is allowed to have facial hair. WWL reports that the school district superintendent said Jones and his family were notified about the rule three times. In fact, he was one of 13 graduating seniors to be reminded. Jones was the only one to refuse their offer to shave and graduate.
“It don’t make sense. Every day of school I went with it, even more, I did shave,” said Jones, “I had like sides and everything, but I shaved that for graduation.”
His aunt, Sabrina Davis, was flabbergasted.
“What was the real issue that he couldn’t walk with his class? He was top of his class, you know, that moment was the most important moment of his life.” Davis goes on to praise her nephew’s many achievements. “For a young man that talented, and very academic, to hold a 4.0 and still manage to be a father to his child, the sky’s the limit to me.”
The situation was not resolved, but he hopes others will not have to deal with this.
Jones will attend Southeastern Louisiana University with three different scholarships, including an academic scholarship, an athletic scholarship and a spot on the football team.
