In the Race
Now, here, you see, it takes all the blogging I can do to keep in the same place.
If I want to get somewhere else, I must blog twice as fast as that!
You see, I'm in
the Red Queen's Race...
No Diversity in Bloomer, WI
By Janet Evans
Tuesday, May 13 2008, 11:51 AM
Daniel Lingen would like to wear his military uniform to his Bloomer High School graduation. Daniel, a Marine recruit, will have completed basic training before graduation takes place. School administration denied his request, insisting he wear the traditional cap and gown, just like all of his fellow classmates.
According to Charles Lingen, Daniel’s father, “He didn’t want any recognition. All he wanted to do was walk up on the stage with his uniform, accept his diploma and that’s it.
“He’s showing the respect to the school by wearing his top dress uniform,” said Charles Lingen.
High school principal Brent Ashland saw it a little differently.
“This is a high school graduation ceremony not a military graduation ceremony,” said Ashland. “We want to recognize all the students for their achievement in earning their high school diploma on a level playing field. As soon as you allow students to differentiate from that based upon what they do, what they wear, what they say, then you are essentially singling out individual students and that’s not the philosophy of a graduation ceremony.”
There is no District policy regarding attire for graduation.
At first I have to admit I was appalled that Lingen couldn't wear his uniform. Especially during a time of war. To me a uniform of those serving our country trumps the uniform of the graduation ceremony .
When I read the above comments of principal Brent Ashland, I was baffled. He wants to recognize all students on a "level playing field?" I guess there is no Valedictorian at Bloomer High School. No Honor Students either, wearing cords.
He says "as soon as you allow students to differentiate from that based upon what they do, what they wear, what they say, then you are singling out individual students and that's not the philosophy of a graduation ceremony." Ashland is a buffoon.
We don't want to show that students are different from each other, now do we.
They are all just a bunch of robots on the assembly line of life.
Except, Lingen is most likely headed off to Iraq, and he should be able to walk across the stage in his dress blues.
Read the story from the Bloomer Advance:
Administration Denies Senior’s Request To Wear USMC Uniform
