An Illinois high school has come under fire after officials refused to let a graduate, who is also a U.S. Marine, walk across the stage Thursday in her blues.
(FOX)- Marine Corps Pvt. Megan Howerton technically finished up her studies at McHenry West High School early in order to start her career as a Marine, WLS-TV reported. But when she returned to the school to join her classmates at graduation, she wasn’t allowed to walk with her class.
“Megan has always been very determined to do what’s right, and I think she felt that the military was a calling for her,” Grace Rodriguez, McHenry West graduate, told WLS-TV.
The school said its decision to refuse Howerton to walk for graduation because she wore her blues instead of the traditional cap and gown.
“The district and administration in no way looked to prevent the participation of this graduate or any graduate who has chosen to serve our nation,” the school said in a statement. “Rather, the administration communicated in advance via letter, senior meeting, and practice, all the protocols expected of graduates, including attire. In some past cases, active-duty students elected to wear their gowns over top of their military uniforms, with their military hats, which was allowed.
“There was no communication to the administration that attire protocols would not be followed prior to the ceremony. The tradition of cap and gown regalia is aimed at the idea that our graduates are celebrated as a whole and in similar attire.”
According to the Northwest Herald, Howerton said in a statement released by the Corps that she was informed of the district’s policy.
“I do not want the controversy that is saturating social media, and I do not want to draw attention away from the class of 2016,” Howerton stated. “That being said, it was my choice not to participate in the graduation.”
Sgt. Trevon Peracca, the marketing and public affairs representative for Marine Corps Recruiting Station in Chicago said in a statement to the Northwest Herald that the Corps recognized there are guidelines for graduation dress code.
“As high school graduations recognize the academic accomplishments of the class and the class’s final chapter at that institution, the decision to allow individuals to wear uniforms during graduations is at the discretion of the school,” Peracca said