There are countless ways that I could go about this matter, but here’s how I’m am going to address it. I am going to address it straightforwardly without being too vulgar with my language, and without being too brutal on our education system. Despite the fact, our education system increasingly provokes me. As of last week the high school that I tend, North Augusta High School has been aggrandizing the dress code. Our administration is currently implementing the part that says *no leggings*. Even though not any of these administrators have bothered enforcing these rules the previous 7 months of this current school year. This matter has had students rioting the past 6 days. This matter has brought forth petitions and student punishment. Personally, I didn’t think it was that immense of a deal. I frankly thought people were overreacting, but my belief on this matter changed moments after a 2-minute conversation with the Assistant Principal Sheldon Higgenbottom. In my first period class, I asked a question about wearing leggings. I asked if wearing leggings under a large jacket or anything that covers 3 inches above the knee would be tolerated. I thought the answer would be a direct “yes of course”, but instead I got a no. This one answer of “no” has put me on the bandwagon of campaigning against the dress code. I have been to countless schools and this has never been an issue at ANY of them. By the time you are in high school, you should have a pretty well understanding of what is and what is not befitting in a school setting. It’s pretty common sense. We get it, people shouldn’t show up in bikinis, booty shorts, and drug or substance-related attire, that is unmistakable, but leggings?!?! Let’s be rational now. I see what teachers are referring to when saying no leggings if everything is not covered, but it is highly unreasonable to not be allowed to wear them if everything is covered. Today within an hour after chatting with assistant principal Sheldon Higgenbottom. I was approached by another teacher. She told me my jeans were out of dress code. As you can see in the image above that my jeans follow dress code completely. I have 2 patches at the thighs which cover up the skin, and the slit in the knee is not 3 inches above the knee. These jeans completely abide by Aiken county’s dress code policy. So would my leggings with a long sweatshirt. On the Aiken County School Site, the only thing it says about leggings is “(SHEER) Leggings/jeggings and tights worn as pants or underneath an inappropriate skirt violates dress code” It does not say a singular word banning cotton leggings or leggings with clothes covering three inches above the knee. So North Augusta High School is wrongfully disciplining kids. So here’s the big question. Why are teachers irrationally enforcing dress code now? That answer is simple. The teachers feel threatened to do so by Principle John Murphy. They are fearful of losing their jobs for failing to discipline students. Which is only being enforced by John Murphy because he feels threatened by The Superintendent of Aiken County Dr.Sean Alford. It has been told a superintendent was on campus last week and cracked down on our principle John Murphy resulting in him sending out a dress code reminder via email to students and parents. North Augusta High School’s Administration needs to take into consideration actually fighting for their school because as of now they aren't looking very high quality in the eyes of the public. As of now, South Carolina’s Education ranking will not advance if the school districts do not step up their game. No wonder the state is ranked 48 in education out of all 50 states in the U.S. The districts are afraid to step up, but since they won't step up it is on us students, parents and fellow U.S citizens to have our voices heard. So I urge you to sign the petition in my bio. This petition has all 12 members of The Aiken County Leadership Team tagged to it. Even if you have already graduated or don’t go to school in South Carolina I encourage you to sign. I encourage you to help push Aiken county into allowing leggings with certain exceptions. This will give students the opportunity to be more confident and comfortable throughout the school day.