First Class Student Barred From Graduation Because He Refused To Shave His Bears (Photo)

The valedictorian at a Louisiana high
school was not allowed to participate
because he took a stand over his
goatee.
Andrew Jones,the head of his class
at Amite High School, was not
allowed to participate in the
graduation ceremony because he
refused to shave his beard.
Jones came out tops in his class and
was meat to deliver the valedictory
speech,but the school said that
what’s on his chin violated the
policy against facial hair, according
to WWLTV.
The 4.0 student had worn his beard
for four years, but he and 13 others
were told that they had to shave
after arriving at their graduation
ceremony Wednesday night.
They were told if they didn’t go in
the bathroom to shave, they
couldn’t participate with the class.
Jones was the only one who
refused, because he said that rule
was never enforced before.
Jones refused because the rule had
never been enforced before, and
his cap and gown were taken
away.He stands by his decision,
though realizes that he will never
get to have another high school
graduation.
Eventually they took my gown,
Read below:-
“They told me they had to take
my gown from me.”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.”
“What was the real issue that he
couldn’t walk with his class?”
asked Sabrina Davis, Jones’ aunt.
“He was top of his class, you
know, that moment was the most
important moment of his life.”
Tangipahoa Schools Superintendent
Mark Kolwe, who said that Jones
had been warned about the policy
multiple time, told WVUE said that
he personally made an appeal to
get the student to shed his scruff to
no avail.
The superintendent said that the
principal at Amite High was
unavailable to answer as to why
the student was allowed to have a
beard throughout the school year,
but not on graduation