Louisiana High Schooler Andrew Jones graduated at the top of his class. However, his school would not let him participate in his graduation because of his facial hair. The rule had never been enforced before. There were 13 other graduates that got chastised because of their beards.
The superintendent, Mark Kolwe, said that Jones had been warned multiple times about the policy. They actually took away his cap and gown over a goatee.
Jones’ aunt, Sabrina Davis, said:
“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.”
Jones is headed to SLU (Southern Louisiana University) on both an academic scholarship and an athletic one. He’s hoping to play professional sports or be a team trainer. He also managed to keep up a 4.0 GPA and raise a child.
He says he wore more facial hair during the school year and no one said anything:
“It don’t make sense, every day of school I went with it, even more, I did shave. I had like sides and everything, but I shaved that for graduation.”
He didn’t even get to give his valedictorian speech.
Here is what Jones had to say about it:
“I feel they should have let me march. The hair on my face has nothing to do with school. I wasn’t distracting anybody.”
The NAACP chapter president, Patricia Morris, had this to say about the incident:
“His robe and cap were taken so he could not march, and that’s just wrong.”
This guy obviously worked hard to get to the top of his class. He should’ve been able to walk and give his valedictorian speech.
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Featured image screengrab via The Grio
