SYRACUSE — A Syracuse High School commencement policy that forbids graduates from wearing anything other than school-approved garb has left some families and students disappointed.
Jessica Pauni, 18, was looking forward to wearing a fresh-flower lei when she walks across the stage at Weber State University tonight but was told by administration that if she showed up with flowers, she could not walk with her class and would have her diploma mailed to her after the ceremony, she said.
Pauni, who is half Tongan, said her class isn't a homogenous group, and she thinks that should be celebrated, not discouraged.
"I don't understand. ... It's just a flower lei," she said. "It just shows appreciation of how I've been raised."
Leis are only one adornment that is not allowed. Corsages and all other "ornamentation" are also prohibited.
Principal Craig Hansen said that the school board and community councils — which are made up of parents and staff — discussed commencement dress multiple times throughout the school year and decided "all of our students will wear just a cap and gown and honor cords," he said.
The school's May newsletter states the graduation dress policy. "There will be a high expectation regarding the dress of the graduates. Boys will be required to wear slack(sic) (no jeans), dress shirt, tie and dress shoes. Girls will be required to wear a dress or dress slacks and no flip flops. Those not dressed appropriately will not 'walk.' Students will wear a cap and gown and may wear school honor cords. No other ornamentation will be permitted."
The 3-year-old school's reasons behind the policy are also stated in the newsletter.
"The senior class is our first group of graduates that has been with us all three years. We want to make the graduation very special," the newsletter states. "We are making a special plea to students and parents that graduation be one of class and dignity." Pauni's mother, Cindy Crawley, said it's disappointing that her daughter will miss out on the experience of wearing her cultural garland, as Pauni's older brother and cousins at other Davis schools wore leis at their graduations.
"They work really hard so that they can have that opportunity," she said. "That's one thing that she's been dreaming of for years."
Chris Williams, the Davis School District's community resources director, said most schools in the district have strict graduation policies, and it's within the district's policy manual that individual schools can dictate what is and is not acceptable.
"Participation in the graduation ceremony is an opportunity and not a protected-property school-site right. Participation may be denied as a disciplinary measure or if student refuses to comply with graduation ceremony standards established and developed at the individual school site," the manual states.
Pauni intended to wear a single lei during the actual ceremony, probably one made and sent by her stepmother in Hawaii.
Douglas Merrill, parent of a Syracuse High student, delivered 300 leis to soon-to-be graduates in the halls of the high school as a sign of support while they signed yearbooks Thursday.
"We are very supportive of the cultural diversity here in Utah," he said. "This is what makes our schools wonderful."
As of Wednesday, Pauni planned to walk sans lei but looked forward to the celebration after the actual ceremony when her aunts and relatives — including her father who is flying in from Hawaii — will present her with their flowery gifts.
e-mail: mfarmer@desnews.com