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| FEATURE - JUNE, 1999 - JEFFERSON, GEORGIA |
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| A
compilation of stories and opinions. Go to June 16 Opinions and Stories |
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NewsViews Poll Results We asked: 21% said Yes,
the JCCHS administration did the right thing. (104 total responses to this informal poll) |
Editorial
The Jackson Herald - June 9, 1999
Academics more important than 'shoes' flap
It's amazing what captures the public's
attention. Although Jackson County faces a lot of important issues,
few have had the outpouring seen this week from the "shoes"
controversy.
The facts are clear: Jackson County Comprehensive High School
student Shane Pearson wasn't allowed to march or sit with his
class last Friday night after he failed to get the proper shoes
as outlined by school administrators. He'd reportedly been warned
not to wear the "boots" he'd worn to graduation practice
on Thursday, but showed up Friday night wearing them anyway.
In the school system's defense, we offer the following:
· Pearson knew the rules, was warned, but chose to break
them anyway. He chose his path and thus must suffer the consequences.
· If the school system starts to make exceptions for one
student, graduation would be chaos. If all the other seniors could
follow the rules, why couldn't he?
· The student is not a child, but a young adult and should
know by now that he can't challenge every authority figure that
crosses his path.
· Being part of a graduation ceremony isn't a given right,
but a privilege. He got his diploma and the world won't come to
an end just because he wasn't allowed to march with his class.
· Our society talks a lot about having more discipline
in our schools, but the moment a student flaunts a rule, everyone
runs to his defense and slams school administrators. We can't
have it both ways - either we want more discipline or we don't.
· If Pearson didn't respect his teachers and classmates
enough to follow the rules, then he shouldn't complain when left
on the sidelines.
Having said that, we wish the school system would go a step further
in its graduation ceremony policies by not allowing students who
had failed the state graduation test to march and sit with the
class. They should have also been put on the bench for not having
lived up to the school's academic standards, just as Pearson was
sidelined for not living up to dress code standards.
A lot of people have strong feelings over this incident. Frankly,
we don't harbor such a passion for the controversy.
We just wish people were as interested in a school's academic
performance as they are in its shoe policies.
Letters to
the Editor
The Jackson
Herald - June 9, 1999
Lost opportunity
to march at graduation
Dear Editor:
After looking forward to my graduation ceremony that I had worked
so hard for, this opportunity was stolen from me. I was told to
show up at 7:00 with a white dress shirt, a tie, dark pants and
dress shoes. I wore all of the above. However, Mr. Gurley (principal)
told me my dress shoes "would not do."
When I told him that these were all I had, he said in a sarcastic
manner to leave. I could not understand why my dark brown Bass
dress shoes were good enough for church but not for graduation.
With only 30 minutes left until graduation time, I was supposed
to drive to Commerce and find a pair of black dress shoes, size
15, that met Mr. Gurley's standards. Mr. Gurley wanted black dress
shoes, but yet in the dress code it simply states "dress
shoes."
After I knew there was no time for me to go buy a new pair of
shoes in 30 minutes, I accepted that Mr. Gurley was not going
to let me walk at graduation. After calming down, I came back
to ask Mr. Gurley if I could at least have my diploma, and he
threatened to call the police if I did not leave. Mr. Gurley made
his threat in front of my fellow graduates and in doing this he
humiliated me. I was humiliated and had something taken from me
that was a goal for 13 years of my life, and it can never be given
back to me.
It was my night to shine and show my family that I had succeeded,
and that chance was stolen from me. Lastly, I would like to thank
my fellow graduates. Your support made me feel as if I was marching
with you all along. That night, a true friend shined through for
me. Chad Fulcher, I thank you for being by my side and making
me feel special on our greatest night. You were a true friend,
and I love you for that.
Sincerely,
Shane Pearson
Athens
Sincerely,
Don Powell
Jefferson, GA
Reader offers suggestion to local schools
Dear Editor:
It was heartwarming to see the many praises heaped upon the graduating
students of the Jefferson and Commerce school systems offered
by both the print and television media of the area. As a contrast,
I have watched the events of the last month at Jackson County
Comprehensive High School with alarm. The issue at the commencement
exercises was only the last of many questionable actions of the
administration at JCCHS. I am afraid that the school board, high
school administration and, for that matter, we the parents of
Jackson County have lost focus of what is important.
How are we as parents, and the school, preparing our youth to
join our society as vital contributing members and eventually
assume the leadership of our community? I question whether the
administration has as its top priorities the education, development
and inspiration of our young people to prepare them for the future.
I offer as an example an incident that occurred earlier this spring
that, at the request of the parents, did not get the media exposure
it perhaps should have. The wrestling team bleached their hair
as a demonstration of team and school spirit. Shortly after that,
another student, a top-ranked academic student and top-ranked
athlete, dyed his hair red as a demonstration of school spirit
the evening before a large regional track meet that numerous college
scouts and recruiters were to attend. When the student appeared
at school, he was told to report to the administration. A change
to the dress code was quickly developed, published and distributed,
and the student was suspended for the day and until his hair was
returned to a more natural color. Of course, the student was not
permitted to take part in the track meet and thus lost his opportunity
to demonstrate athletic skills at this very important time.
How did this action on the part of the administration further
education for the student or the school? What lesson was there
in it? Where was the good for either the student or the school?
It certainly did not provide further opportunities for the student.
It made the school administration look petty in the eyes of several
college recruiters. One recruiter was overheard commenting that
the senior class should all dye their hair red for commencement.
Luckily, that did not take place.
One month ago, my daughter, outraged by the administration's attitude
toward student elections, hastily wrote and emailed an editorial
to this newspaper. Student response to this was very telling in
itself. The first response was basically that it didn't matter
who they voted for, nothing would be accomplished, and that elections
were merely a popularity contest. Her second point was that life
was unfair, elections are useless, get used to it you can't do
anything about it.
How very sad to have a 15- or 16-year old girl already so cynical.
The frustration my daughter has had as a class officer getting
any type of student body empowerment from the JCCHS administration,
this last year, has proven this young lady's first point. The
lesson learned from the administration was the second point. The
second respondent was even more strident in her condemnation of
attitudes at JCCHS, going as far as to state that teachers were
encouraging her to drop out of school. As a parent that has tried
to inspire my children to strive to their highest potential and
then strive higher, I resent these alleged school attitudes that
undermine these principles.
As a former Army officer, I appreciate the need for order and
discipline in education. However, it needs to be understood that
discipline is a means to an end and not the end itself. These
actions by the JCCHS administration appear to be more an effort
to demonstrate absolute control over the students than keep good
order and discipline.
The bottom line is performance. Do these actions by the JCCHS
administration help our students for the future? I would encourage
all parents to visit the Georgia Department of Education web site
at www.doe.k12.ga.us to get the answers. At the present time,
the results of the 98-99 school year are not yet available; however,
school year 97-98 is very revealing. The teachers are for the
most part doing their jobs. JCCHS ranks below national averages,
but has a very high ranking within the state based on Georgia
high school graduation test. JCCHS ranks very poorly on students
graduating on time and receiving diplomas with college prep and
vocational endorsements. It appears that the teachers are giving
our students the tools to succeed, but the administration is not
showing them how to use these tools.
I offer the following recommendations to improve the education
climate at JCCHS that would have minimal cost to the school system
but could reap major rewards.
1. Invite college and vocational school recruiters into the school
to address all students during an assembly or seminar at least
once a term. All classes should be in attendance. Waiting to their
senior year is too late. (This could be set up by the student
council.)
2. Develop a program to inform students and parents of scholarships
and grants available for postsecondary schooling. A seminar should
be held at least once a term. Presently, JCCHS students and parents
must attend such seminars in other school districts. Assistance
should be available to help complete applications. Again, this
should be available to all classes so that students may learn
requirements for these aids and act upon them. Waiting to their
senior year is too late.
3. The student council should select and appoint a liaison with
the board of education. This position could present ideas to the
board that may not be approved by the administration. The board
would have to allow the student council the opportunity to table
items for discussion.
4. Students' course evaluations should be passed out at the end
of the school year to get feedback from the students about ways
in which to improve classes and determine teachers that may reflect
poor attitudes. The student council could be used to distribute
and collect these forms as well as tabulating data.
5. Use current databases to track the progress of students after
leaving teachers. Do the students of particular teachers have
more difficult times in the next sequence of classes?
Finally, the parents of our students must take a greater role
in their education. We must remember that the job of the teachers
and administration is not an easy one. These school officials
and those around the country are being forced to become the babysitters
and police officers due to student misconduct. We must teach our
children manners, morality, ethics and discipline. This is not
the responsibility of the schools, nor do I want them to take
this responsibility. Parents of Jackson County must hold the board
of education accountable for the performance of the school administration.
The administration must hold our teachers accountable for their
performance. The future will hold all of us accountable for our
collective performance.
Sincerely,
Jon E. Freeland
Jefferson
Sincerely,
Renea Anderson
Winterville
Pay attention to where the finger is pointed
Dear Editor:
After reading Mike Buffington's article on the incident with my
brother, Shane Pearson, I am appalled that a man who has his name,
picture and occupational title spread all over the newspaper is
screaming, "Get over it" when Shane did not get to receive
recognition for his 12 years of work in school. Pardon the cliché,
but if the shoe was on the other foot, I doubt Mr. Buffington
would be so quick to make judgments and discard the importance
of recognition.
There are a few points that Mr. Buffington and the school are
forgetting: Shane wore the "proper" attire, according
to the graduation dress code that specifically states: "dress
shoes." Shane did not try to defy or get away with anything.
He was not asking the school to bend any rules. He was adhering
to the rules set by the school. It was only when Mr. Gurley did
not approve of Shane's dress shoes that a problem arose. It did
not begin with my brother. Mr. Gurley started this chain of events.
Next, Mr. Buffington stated that graduation was not a God-given
right, but a privilege. Yes, he is correct in this assertion:
Shane earned this privilege and deserved to walk at graduation
just like all of his lassmates. To a man that is many years past
graduation with a job at the newspaper, perhaps graduation is
not a significant event. However, to my 18-year-old brother, who
worked many long years and gave a lot of time and energy into
various programs at Jackson County Comprehensive High School,
graduation meant a lot to him. He never chose to be discriminated
against; keep in mind who is at fault in this unfortunate ordeal.
Pay attention to where the finger is pointed.
Sincerely,
Tonya Aiken
Other graduates ignored
dress code
Dear Editor:
I agree that when children are specifically told to wear certain
attire to any specific school function that they should, within
their ability, do that. However, the problem that I have with
the decision that Mr. Gurley made on June 4, is that it did not
seem to apply to anyone except Shane Pearson. If you were at the
graduation ceremony, or you happened to purchase a graduation
video that the school offered, you will see that there were several
other students that did not dress accordingly. Why was Shane picked
out of all the others to not be included?
Yes, he may have been told the day before about his shoes, but
I am sure all of the other students were aware of this situation.
If the truth be known, more than likely the ones that did not
wear the proper shoes were rebelling, just as you indicate Shane
did. So all of them should have been excluded, not just Shane.
Why were students allowed to walk and receive their diploma that
still did not have all of their credits? Simply because they have
black dress shoes? Something is wrong here.
All in all, I feel that it is a shame that with all the peer pressure
that kids have on them today, he chose to stay in school and get
a education and a diploma. And that, Mr. Gurley, you and your
black dress shoes will never take away from him.
Sincerely,
Robbie Rawls
Commerce
My brain is going to function the same way
whether I wear brown shoes or black shoes
Dear Editor:
I graduated from Jackson County Comprehensive High School Friday,
June 4. This is a major turning point for any high school senior.
It is a day that will always be remembered. For most, this is
a great experience. For me, it was not so great. Many of you are
probably wondering why.
Let me start from the beginning. For the last few months, we seniors
have been getting ready for our big day, graduation. A part of
this preparation involved graduation practice on June 3. This
is the day that we, as seniors, learn how to march onto the field
and all such stuff as that. As any high school graduate knows,
it is a general rule to wear nice, dark clothes under the graduation
gown. Naturally, that would include dark shoes. We were told not
to wear tennis shoes, but it was never specified that the shoes
being worn must be black, just dark. Thursday, at practice, our
principal Mr. Jim Gurley checked everyone's apparel, shoes included.
There were a few problems, but he spoke to those few. No big deal.
Friday, we were all to meet in the cafeteria at 7 p.m. I was stopped
at the door. Suddenly, the skirt that I had worn the day before
to have checked was not appropriate. Luckily, I had a nice pair
of pants in my car. Unfortunately, one of my fellow classmates
was not so lucky. The shoes that he had on were not black, so
he could not walk with his graduating class. Never mind the fact
that his brown shoes were perfectly fine when checked the day
before. Now, the rules were changed from the printed copy seniors
had received. Shoes not only must be dark, now they must be black.
This concerns me. I never realized that graduation was about one's
appearance. I have been in the Jackson County school system for
12 years and I thought that I was graduating for my academic accomplishments,
not being rewarded for wearing black shoes. I was not aware that
appearance was so important. To me, this is the graduate's day.
If the person in question wanted to wear purple and orange polka-dotted
shoes, who is Mr. High and Mighty Gurley to question that? My
brain is going to function the same way whether I wear brown shoes
or black shoes. Either way, that diploma was earned. Does anyone
reading this really believe that the color of a person's shoes
should determine whether or not they walk and receive their diploma?
If so, you are just as closed-minded as Mr. Jim Gurley.
What if a graduate didn't have black shoes and could not afford
to buy any? Do they deserve that sort of treatment? We all worked
hard to reach this point in life. Who deserves to have the memory
of this day destroyed by such a petty issue? In my opinion, Jim
Gurley has a few issues of his own that he needs to try and resolve
by the next school year. The classmate in question is a bright
student. He just received a scholarship. It is true, he is a clown
and acts up, but he earned his diploma and the right to walk with
the class of 1999.
When I look back at graduation, I will remember Jim Gurley and
his final decision. I will not think of diplomas. I will not think
of tears, not one fell from my eye. I will think of my fellow
classmate sitting in the stands with all of our parents, friends
and family members, including his own. Most of all, I will think
of how happy I was to finally get out of the ever-diminishing
Jackson County school system. I will think of Mr. Gurley and how
he ruined the most important day of our lives. You need to set
your priorities straight, Jim Gurley. Learn what those diplomas
that you hand out stand for. You need to think of Colorado. Most
of all, think of the face of that certain student who you made
sit in the stands. He deserved to be graduating on the field with
the rest of the graduating class. I will always remember you,
Jim Gurley, but not for the reasons that you want to be remembered
by your former students.
Sincerely,
Tiffany Deaton
Class of 1999
Worse than Horrid
Dear Editor:
I think this situation with Shane Pearson is worse than horrid.
This shows what a person who thinks he has power can do. Mr. Gurley
should not only be made to give him an apology, he should be terminated
from his position because of his poor judgment.
I have known Shane since he was a small child and to know all
of the things life has dealt him this is the most cruel and inhuman
thing I have ever heard of.
Why when so much violence is in the schools was this principal
so concerned over just one senior's shoes? He should be thankful
that they had a peaceful school year instead of something so stupid.
I would like to say to Shane to hold his head high and don't let
this incident, even though not a good one, bring him down and
definitely don't let this one person make you dislike others because
of his ignorance.
Sincerely,
Janie Loggins
Winder
"Priciple had no right to tell that
guy can not be in his graduation." (huh?)
Dear Editor:
My close friend and I have came to the conclusion that the principle
needs to get his facts straight. He had no right to tell that
guy can not be in his graduation. He went to school for 13 years,
14 years if he went to pre-k, not to minchun that there was many
other kids who had on flip flops and they were able to attend,
I think that the priciple didn't like that student so he made
up a reason so he couldn't attend the graduation.
Sincerely,
Tiffany Picquet
Alto
Note: This letter was left unedited.
Who is really looking at the shoes?
Dear Editor:
I'm a band student at JCCHS. Being on the field, the band got
a close look at what the graduating students were wearing. Some
of us had noticed that a lot of the students were wearing flip
flops and sandals. Some of us that new (sic) Shane Pearson could
not understand why he was not down on the field walking.
When I found out that the reason he could not walk was because
of his shoes, I thought it was ridiculous, because someone who
passes all of their required courses, gets a scholarship to play
football, is liked by a lot of students and faculty members, but
does not get to march because of the type of shoes he is wearing
does not make any since (sic) to me. The type of shoes should
not matter when a person is graduating. If a person can go to
school for 12 or 13 years, wears the right pants, the correct
shirt and tie, but not the correct shoes, who is really looking
at the shoes?
I believe that Shane does deserve an apology from Mr. Gurley,
and the rest of the board of education.
Sincerely,
Nina Curell
JCCHS Band Member
Shane did not get to shine because of the
color of his boots
Dear Editor:
My name is Ashleigh Saxton. I am a 15 year old student at Commerce
High School. I did not attend the Jackson County High School Graduation
on June 4, but I read the article in the newspaper and would like
to voice my opinion on this matter.
I do not know Shane Pearson personally, but I know of him. I think
it was a very wrong decision made by Mr. Gurley. Graduation is
a time in your life were you want to be noticed for your successes.
Shane did not get to shine like he wanted to all because of the
color of his boots.
As many people in the other articles said, "other students
had on flip flops, sandals, open toed shoes," my question
is why were these individuals not made to leave also? I really
think the school faculty, mainly Mr. Gurley owes Shane an apology
for humiliating him and taking away his time to come out on top
and be recognized. I know our school administration would never
take away a students privilege and long time accomplishments to
participate in an important event as graduation is, no matter
how they were dressed. I personally feel there was a grudge between
Gurley and Pearson. For Mr. Gurley to have only set out this individual
and not any of the other students who did not meet the dress code
either, I feel there must have been. I understand there was a
dress code for this ceremony, but it particularly stated "dress
shoes".
Seeing the shoes Shane wore, I would have thought they would be
fine for the event. It just goes to show you what kind of people
we have in our society. My sympathy and apologies go out to Shane
Pearson and his family that came out for this special day in his
life and never got to see him walk out on the field with his class
and get what he has worked for for the past 13 years of his life.
I would also like to show my gratitude and praise for the young
man who had the privilege to march with his class on the field,
Chad Fulcher. That was a brave and nice thing you did for your
friend. He will always remember you. If I had been there graduating
with the class, I would have done the same! Shane, hold your head
up, I'm very proud of you and so are many other people!
Sincerely,
Ashleigh Saxton
Is Editor Childless?
Dear Editor:
My question to you is, do you have children? If so, how would
you feel if your child had met all requirements to walk and receive
their high school diploma, but because of their shoes was not
allowed to? How as a parent would you feel?
As a parent myself, graduation from high school is supposed to
be one the most proud and exciting moments I look forward to experiencing.
You are right that graduation is a privilege. A privilege is something
you earn. And according to the requirements of JCCHS and the state
of Georgia, Shane Pearson had earned that privilege by academically
qualifying for graduation. The comment that disturbs me the most
was "the world won't come to an end because he wasn't allowed
to march with his class." No one is saying that it will.
The point we are trying to make is a very important moment which
should have been a memorable one for Shane instead was destroyed.
You probably don't know this, but he had brought a picture of
his mother who he lost at a very young age to carry with him across
the stage. He had worked for 13 years overcoming a lot of obstacles
to do this for her. And very much wanted to carry her picture
as he marched across stage for his senior walk to receive his
diploma. But this too was taken away from him.
This was not only supposed to be a celebration for his graduation,
but a tribute to his mother. I also agree "academics is more
important than shoes." Shane had met all the academic requirements
to be eligible to walk and graduate with his class. But, in this
case, I suppose all that hard work didn't matter.
I don't understand how you, if you are a parent, could make the
comments you did in your editorial. Maybe graduation doesn't have
the same meaning to you as it does to all of us that are upset
about what happened to Shane.
Sincerely,
Michelle Buffington
Gainesville
Shane's cousin
(No relation to editor!!)
Education a Constitutional Right! (with
or without shoes?)
Dear Editor:
I hope you print this response regarding the boy who wasn't allowed
to walk with his graduating class. This situation reminds me of
what my generation experienced in the late 1960's and early 1970's.
That was when boys began wearing their hair either shoulder length
or longer. In order to graduate with their class, they had to
wear short haired wigs! Luckily, that was a short lived discrimination
in my community.
The Constitution says that every child has a right to an education.
Shane Pearson took advantage of that right and did it well, better
than others. As far as I'm concerned, the local school officials
have no right to design a dress code in order to determine who
will walk and who will not walk during the graduation ceremonies.
The schools already have a dress code in place for the students
so that they provide a neat appearance. Who gives anyone the right
to change it along the way to suit them?
As a taxpayer who pays "very high!" school taxes to
support the educational facilities in this county, I say that
every student who has earned their diploma can walk with their
class at any one of these public facilities! I don't care if they
wear one red shoe and one blue shoe! As a school taxpayer in this
county, I make a formal complaint to the board of education of
Jackson County that a school official was allowed to "change
the rules" for one day and deprive a student of the right
to receive his diploma with this classmates!
I raised four children in this county who all agree received more
discouragement than they did encouragement in their education
at JCCHS. In fact, if it hadn't been for the help of private schools,
they wouldn't have been able to get into college. We could all
write a book on it!
Sincerely,
Laureen Sauls
Commerce
(Editor's note: The U.S. Constitution does
not guarantee everyone the right to an education.)
Boots No Big Deal
Dear Editor:
How can anyone wonder why there is so much concern over Shane's
boots instead of other matters within the county? With all the
violence taking place in our schools in this country, making it
to graduation is a big accomplishment. As most know, with all
the killings this year, several students did not make it to their
graduation ceremony. Not allowing a student to participate in
graduation ceremonies for something as insignificant as the color
of his shoes is a total outrage. I know that a dress code was
given to each student, and I also know that the dress code only
stated "dress shoes". If a certain type of shoe is required,
then it should be stated in the dress code. I disagree with Mr.
Gurley's statement that all the other 182 students were dressed
appropriately. There were students with brown shoes and even flip
flops. So my question is, why single out one individual? This
is not a matter of a student trying to be disrespectful to his
teachers or his school, this is a matter of one principal making
a poor decision.
Students are killing other students because they are not part
of what is called the "in crowd"; they do not look the
right way or dress the right way. I understand their feelings,
but I do not understand and I do not believe killing someone is
the answer. So society thinks we should tell our young children
that everyone just be treated the same no matter what they look
like or how they dress. We tell them not to pick on someone who
is different. Then a principal has the nerve to tell a student
that he can not participate in graduation because he is dressed
differently. What kind of message is this suppose to send to our
children?
As adults, how can we preach right and wrong when we are not willing
to live by the practice we preach? Hats off to Chad Fulcher for
standing by his friend. In my opinion, the entire graduating class
should have walked off the field, or stopped the ceremonies until
Shane was seated on the field with the rest of his class, where
he should have been to start with.
Sincerely,
Pam Henson
What difference do shoes make?
Dear Editor:
The one thing that keeps going through my mind after reading this
article is "What difference does it make what is on their
feet?" These kids have worked long and hard to get their
diplomas and I commend each and every one of them on their hard
work. I don't know what kind of history Shane Pearson has had
in school but the point is that he did earn the right to march
with his class to receive his diploma. With so many kids dropping
out of school and not caring about an education, it's a shame
that Mr. Gurley took this moment away from Shane Pearson. In my
opinion, what matters most when they walk up to receive their
diploma is not what's on their feet but what is on their minds
and in their hearts.
Sincerely,
Alethia Boone
Hoschton
Wishes senior well in college
Dear Editor:
I am writing this letter in response to the uncaring act of Mr.
Gurley and the board of education of Jackson County. Mr. Shane
Pearson is a very close friend of my son, John Hethcoat. My son
was very upset that Shane was not given the opportunity to walk
with their graduating class of 1999 after everything Shane has
gone through in his life and still finishing high school and excelling
football and receiving a scholarship.
This particular event is very important in any senior's high school
career. I think not allowing Shane to march with his classmates
was poor judgment on the part of everyone involved. On behalf
of my son and our family, we would like to express our congratulations
to Shane to wish him well in his college career. We will be keeping
a constant eye on him. I'm sure when it comes time for him to
graduate from college, they won't be concerned about what color
shoes he will be wearing. I can honestly say that I am glad that
this is the last year that I have to deal with Jackson County
Comprehensive High School.
Sincerely,
Lori Baldwin and family
Student has right to be outraged
Dear Editor:
I believe this young man should have been allowed to participate
in his graduation ceremonies at Jackson County Comprehensive High
School. Both my sons graduated from this school and I know there
are some fine educators there. However, it only takes one incident
of poor judgment by someone in authority to send the wrong signals
to our young adults. Employers of these young adults will expect
them to adhere to the rules, so I do see both sides of this issue.
But, employers are expected to treat everyone fairly and with
dignity. If the letters I've read are true about other graduates
wearing flip flops and etc., then a difference was made between
this young man and the other students, hence, unfair treatment,
and he has a right to be outraged.
Sincerely,
Jack Martin
Jefferson
Incident suspicious to former graduate
Dear Editor:
I am writing in response to the story about Shane Pearson. As
a former classmate, I know the excitement graduation brings. You
work hard, do your best, and then the day comes when you walk
down the aisle and receive your diploma. It's a moment that I
will remember for the rest of my life. Mainly because of the events
that occurred before and during the graduation exercises.
I believe that there was some other reason why Mr. Gurley asked
Shane to leave, which had nothing to do with Shane's shoes. I
say this because I know plenty of other students who were not
following the dress code: Approximately three of the girls had
on what looked like sandals, and one of the girls wore pants during
graduation, while another girl was asked to change for wearing
pants. There was a guy on the field who was allowed to graduate,
yet he was also wearing brown dress shoes. Now, I'm not trying
to change the subject, I'm just trying to point out the fact that
Mr. Gurley failed to say anything to these people, yet he didn't
hesitate to say something to Shane. It's just a little suspicious
to me.
I know that Mr. Gurley would probably say something like, "I
can't catch every person who violates the dress code." And
I also know that there were teachers at the door checking to make
sure that what we were wearing was appropriate, but it seems like
Mr. Gurley would have checked everybody out before graduation
began, if the dress code was so important to him.
The fact that Shane got into the lunchroom, where all the graduates
lined up, without a problem, yet was later asked to leave is also
something to think about. It just doesn't make sense that someone's
marching status can be determined by the color of their shoes.
If the school is more concerned with something as simple as the
color of someone's shoes than anything else, then I think they
have problems, which they need to deal with immediately.
Sincerely,
John Dills
Jefferson
Just cruel
Dear Editor:
I am writing about the graduation that Shane Pearson could not
walk in. I feel that is just cruel. I don't know Shane, but I
feel for him. He worked hard for that diploma I am sure, and I
would like to congratulate him myself. I think that every one
of those graduates should have sat in the stands with Shane. But
maybe they didn't know the situation. All I can say is, I would
have sat with you, Shane. In a time when we are looking to keep
our kids in school and keep them, this principal is worried about
shoes. That is awful. He should be happy with all these kids making
it through school. I can guarantee that under those robes some
of those students didn't fit "dress code," so what does
it matter about a pair of shoes? If the principal had such a problem
with his shoes, he should have offered to let Shane wear his.
You just can't take this important moment from someone so lightly.
He earned it and Mr. Gurley and anyone who allowed this decision
to hold, owes Shane a public apology and the refund of his robe.
Maybe his classmates could have a special ceremony just for Shane.
I bet a lot of Jackson County would show up. Congratulations to
you, Shane. I am sorry this day was ripped from you so heartlessly.
But know that you have a lot of people on your side. God bless
you.
Sincerely,
Crystal Hutchason
Ft. Rucker, Ala.