Hampshire High School has made the decision to break away from traditional green and white graduation cap and gowns this year to all being green.  When asked why this decision was made the response was “girls have complained in the past about wearing white” and “colleges wear all the same color”.

Apparently, the school “has already started ordering”…I do not believe this because parents have not been provided any link to order graduation items, and I’m sure HHS isn’t providing funding for all graduate attire.  

HHS is also using the term equality as a reason behind this decision. The definition of equality is the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.  Allowing students to decide something as small as what color they will wear when they complete this major chapter in their lives is far more an act of equality than dictating or taking away their choice because it’s easier FOR THE PEOPLE THAT AREN’T GRADUATING.  

Please sign this petition to STOP this change before it truly is too late.  The students have expressed to the administration they don’t want this change.  Their voices should be heard.  This petition will be presented to the BOE.  Green and white colors have been ALWAYS been a HHS tradition.  If there are concerns about what students “want” to wear, they should be given the option to order either color of their choice, regardless of gender.  THAT is an expression of equality.  The optional colors would keep with tradition AND remove any chance of complaints from students by allowing them to select the color they personally want to wear.