Hellaciously cool uniform, but stow it until after the ceremony.
Sad that he has to fight for that Dress Blues look awesome and im a dude
If the rule is that everyone wears a cap and gown, then everyone should wear a cap and gown. If you let a Marine wear dress blues, then the next thing you know you will have transvestites wanting to wear blue dresses.
He should wear the dress blues under his cap and gown.
The uniform of the day, soldier, is ... Cap and Gown.
I dread graduation season for this reason: everyone thinks they’re special and want to stand out like a sore thumb. Wear the uniform under the gown and be silent.
Maybe he should write to former President Bush in Crawford, Texas to speak on his behalf. I can’t understand the school board’s reason to not allow the dress blues.
Hellaciously cool uniform, but stow it until after the ceremony.
Does the Corp teach Marines that they can do anything they want to do? Or do they have to follow the rules?
Wear the uniform under the gown like all the others! At the completion of the ceremony remove the gown and have a good time like all the other students.
If he’s just finished boot camp then he’s familiar with the term ‘uniform of the day’. Well, the uniform of the day for graduation is cap and gown.
I noted at one high school graduation back in the USA a few years ago I witnessed, the speeches and talk were all liberal, there was no prayer nor pledge of allegiance nor national anthem, 80% of the instructors were overweight liberal women there up on the dais--I thought they were going to crash through the floor all sitting bunched together on these little folding chairs barely suppporting them, nearly 90% of the awards went to females in the HS class, who themselves went on to give liberal speeches.
I thought to myself Hey! FOR SURE there are some MEN (and maybe some women) in this graduating class of 2004 who have joined the US military and this summer will ship out to Iraq or Afghanistan or Korea. Why does not this foolish school let THEM stand up and get a round of applause and some recognition for THEIR accomplishments (and future danger)?? And this was in a relatively conservative part of the US.
"Cindee is going to Stanford and Brandy is going to Berkeley, or our valedictorian Jin Soo is going to MIT and Christie made it into to Yale...oh...blah blah blah blah
I’m with the school board on this one. Wear the cap and gown like your fellow graduates. The gown comes off immediately after the graduation anyway. He’ll have the rest of the night to wear his uniform proudly.
They should eliminate graduation and just mail the diplomas.
I went to my high school one but didn’t bother with college and had them mail it.
“Marine Fights To Wear Dress Blues At High School Graduation”
I don’t see why his orientation should matter.
In recognition of those who serve our country
Bill Bolde - March 6, 2009
Over the past six years, Saugus High School has had nine graduating seniors gain acceptance to various academies of the United States armed forces.
We know that more than 100 other Centurion students over that time have made a commitment to join the U.S. military and serve their country.
As principal, I’ve been most proud of these students’ accomplishments and their willingness to be trained to one day trek to remote parts of the world to man a post or engage in combat to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day.
These students embody bravery, courage and leadership. I respect their character and I long to honor their commitment.
Recently, I received a request by a parent of a student who graduated early to allow her son to walk in the commencement ceremony this June in full Marine dress blues.
My original thoughts can best be categorized under two umbrellas — personal values and school protocols. Fundamentally, I value the human price we pay as a nation each year to protect our liberties. Affording a student who graduated early and who is proud of his new title as a United States Marine to walk in his uniform at graduation is a positive thing for the student, the school and the community.
Administratively, I recognized that we have never done anything like this before. We have consistently had the practice of all graduates wearing the traditional cap and gown during the ceremony.
In fact, we’ve always had the wording in the contract for seniors that specifically states “no alterations, substitutions or modifications” may be made to the attire.
As is common with many leaders in all walks of life, I take council with many of my administrative peers, educational colleagues and respected friends.
Through the process of searching for the appropriate resolve, I entertained calls from Congressman McKeon’s office and Gov. Schwarzenegger’s office. I had conversations with Mr. Castellanos, my superintendent, as well as other district leaders.
I have even talked directly to officers of the U.S. Marine Corps. I believe it is always most prudent to gather as much information as possible while making significant decisions that affect a lot of people.
Last Friday, I called the young man’s mom and asked if we might be able to meet again. I wanted to hear her heart and try to look through a new lens.
She conveyed to me the importance of her son’s wish to wear the uniform. From the time he was a toddler, all he wanted was to be a Marine.
We had a wonderful exchange and I told her that I would not only advocate for her son to walk in his uniform, but I would champion a resolution that would allow other students who become members of the military as early grads the same accord.
That night, I was able to talk to the Saugus graduate who was in basic training at Camp Pendleton. It was an inspiring conversation.
The next morning, I went to my office and drafted some language that could be presented to Administrative Council and, upon approval, be forwarded to the governing board.
I feel confident that that process is going down a positive pathway for this year and in the future ... for Saugus High School and all schools in the Hart district.
I am a proud American who honors and prays daily for our military leaders as well as the men and women all over the world who make up our armed forces.
My intent has never been to dishonor those who stand watch for our liberties. This week, I have had follow-up conversations with the mom and know that she has been very complimentary of the resolution to her son’s request.
Her son, Nicholas Laccabue, is going to walk proudly in his dress blues at the Saugus High School graduation ceremony June 3.
I am looking forward to putting the Lamp of Learning medallion around his neck, shaking his hand and telling him “well done” as he crosses the stage.
Bear in mind that local sensiblilities are reflected in the fact that the school district is named after this early patron.
Caps and gowns are bought and rented,
Dress Blues are earned,
Tassels hang faded from rear view mirrors,
The title “Marine” is worn to the grave.
Let his classmates see what he has become.
I hate those people
( no, not the fine marine, but the other ones.)
I am married to a military man and respect them all very much, but this is a high school graduation and the graduates wear cap and gown.
He got to wear his dress blues at his Marine “graduation”; he can certainly wear the HS “uniform” at his HS graduation.
He should wear the cap and gown and don the uniform for his own party after the school ceremony is over.