Evelyn Kha

News Story 2

There will be a school disciplinary hearing on April 10 concerning sophomore Stacy

Carol to move her to an alternative school due to her violation of the school dress code by

refusing to remove her religious facial jewelry.

I cannot comment on this specific case or discuss an individual students discipline

issues, superintendent Parker Gordon said. We have dress code to have order and discipline

in our schools. Imagine what our schools would be like if we allowed students to wear whatever

they liked. We also want our students to understand expectations in dress. Employers have

dress codes. We are modeling the business world with our expectations.

Carol, along with her mother, belong to the Church of Body Modification, which is

composed of about 3,500 members in the U.S. that practice body modification as a way to

experience the divine.

I dont understand why the district wont drop this, Carol said. Our spirituality comes

from what we choose to do to ourselves. Through body modification, we can change how we

see ourselves and the world around us. Not every member has a facial piercing. You choose

how you want to express your faith.

Carol believes her first amendment right to freely exercise religion is being violated

because her piercing is part of her faith.

People cry First Amendment violations all the time, Constitutional Lawyer Jett Ramirez

said. Freedom of religion is a big one. Just because a few people get together and call

themselves a church doesnt mean they are a church in the eyes of the law. The school district

should hold its ground. I believe the courts will see the absurdity in this.
 The school dress code also prohibits hats and headwear, but two Muslim students have

religious exemptions so they can wear hijabs. With this in mind, the local chapter of the

American Civil Liberties Union say that they will be defending her case at her upcoming

disciplinary hearing.

It is in the best interest of the school district to allow her a religious exemption from the

dress code, ACLU lawyer Sonia Stephens said. A court case could be costly and lengthy. The

district doesn't have much to stand on since it already has two religious exemptions on file. It

would be hard pressed to defend that in a court.

An exempted Muslim student, however, said the Muslim religion should not be compared

with the Church of Bodily Modification.

We have a rich and long history, junior Amina Shakuri said. There are more than a

billion Muslims worldwide. Our beliefs are documented. I dont have a problem with Stacys lip

piercing, but comparing her lip piercing to my hijab is absurd.

Carols mother supports her daughter and is hoping for a good outcome at the school

disciplinary meeting.

I was grateful when the ACLU agreed to help us, Stacys mother Loreina Carol said.

The piercing is part of Stacys religion. My daughter wants to go to class, but she also doesnt

want her First Amendment rights trampled. I asked Stacy if she wanted to back down and take

out the lip jewelry, but she believes in our church and in our freedom. She wants to stand up for

herself and for that, I am proud.