Andrew Jones
Andrew Jones
Andrew Jones was the valedictorian of the 2016 graduating class at Amite High School, a public school in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. He had a 4.0 GPA, was a star athlete on the school's football team and was a father to his son. Andrew will be attending Saint Louis University with an academic scholarship, an athletic scholarship and a spot on the football team. After college Andrew aspires to play professional sports or become a sports trainer. [1]
Graduation Controversy
Andrew as had to turn in his cap and gown and was not allowed to participate in the graduation walk due to his beard which went against the Amite High School's no facial hair policy.
Andrew had worn his beard for four years without any complaints, but he and 13 others were told that they had to shave after arriving at their graduation ceremony on Wednesday May 18, 2016.
Andre was the only one who refused, because he said that rule was never enforced before.
Andrew, who as valedictorian was set to given an address at the event, refused because the rule had never been enforced before, so his cap and gown were taken away and he was not allowed to participate in the graduation.
Amite City mayoral candidate T.R.
McGee,posted on Facebook that the school was "not fair due to inadequate disciplinary polices." and that "If the school was to discipline this adequately, one could easily see the justification," McGee also said "By them not enforcing this policy adequately, the school should first offer a public apology." [1]
Tangipahoa Schools Superintendent superintendent Mark Kolwe said he has no choice but to enforce it, although he declined to comment on why the policy wasn’t enforced during the school year, except to say that the "principal was attempting to enforce the policy for graduation purposes."
The NAACP Tangipahoa chapter president Patricia Morris said the refusal to let the young man march was “just wrong.”
Morris said that students at other graduations in the district had worn facial hair during their ceremonies, and that rules seem to be applied randomly.
She said that there was likely "something deeper" behind the incident than just facial hair policies and said that the district has a history of unequal treatment for black and white students. Morris said that there is a protest planned against the district for Monday. [undefined]