Things got hairy at a Louisiana high school graduation when the valedictorian was not allowed to participate because he took a stand over his goatee.
Andrew Jones was the head of his class at Amite High School, but education officials said 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.
Jones, who 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.
He stands by his decision, though he realizes that he will never get to have another high school graduation.
Tangipahoa Schools Superintendent Mark Kolwe, who said that Jones had been warned about the policy multiple times, told WVUE that he personally made an appeal to get the student to shed his scruff — to no avail.
The outlet reported that the NAACP has gotten involved. Patricia Morris, the group’s Tangipahoa chapter president, said the refusal to let the young man march was “just wrong.”
Morris told the Daily News on Friday 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, but would not say that is what happened in this case.
Morris said that there is a protest planned against the district for Monday.
