thedrifter
04-07-09, 08:36 AM
Marine fights to graduate in dress blues
By Zahira Torres/ El Paso Times
El Paso Times
Posted:04/06/2009 10:50:39 PM MDT
EL PASO -- Garrett Miles-McCarthy does not care about donning the traditional navy-blue cap and gown when he graduates from Chapin High School in June.
The 18-year-old, who completed his coursework in December and is now a private first class in the Marine Corps, wants to accept his high school diploma in his military uniform. The school principal rejected his request, but the fight has just begun.
His mother, Marie McCarthy, is pushing to change an El Paso Independent School District rule that prohibits students at graduation ceremonies from wearing anything other than the traditional regalia.
She is circulating petitions and hoping to enlist support from U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, celebrities such as country singer Toby Keith and veterans' groups.
"We are a nation at war right now and, typically, if you look back at history there have always been concessions made to show support for these kids going into the military," said McCarthy, wife of Army Sgt. Harold McCarthy, who is headed for a third tour in Iraq.
As for Miles-McCarthy, he said his Marine uniform is an important symbol.
"The cap and gown just shows that you did what was required of you, but the uniform shows you chose to do something more and serve your country," he said. "That should be recognized."
School board members next week will consider whether to bend or change the rules for Chapin's graduation ceremony so that Miles-McCarthy could receive his diploma in Marine dress blues.
School Principal Carla Gonzales has already turned down requests from the family, Marie McCarthy said.
"He is going out there putting his life on the line so that this principal has the freedom to tell him 'no,' " she said.
Her son initially was to graduate in May 2008 but finished a semester late. He then enlisted in the Marines and has completed basic training.
Most high schools in El Paso County require that students wear a cap and gown at graduation ceremonies. Many administrators said they had never been asked to let a student wear a military uniform.
So El Paso ISD administrators are compiling information from Fort Bliss officials and other school districts before crafting a recommendation for the school board.
But, they said, if the rules change for a Marine, schools would have to accommodate graduates with various religious beliefs, as well as those who want to wear uniforms of other organizations.
"If you are a transfer student from Korea or a transfer student from Japan, are you going to be able to wear a kimono?" district spokeswoman Berenice Zubia said. "We are not only talking about military uniforms or governmental uniforms. We are talking about all types of garments that people truly feel should be worn."
Nicholas Laccabue, a California high school student who attended boot camp with Miles-McCarthy, won a similar battle against his school district last month. Administrators let him wear his Marine Corps uniform during graduation after his parents sought help from politicians.
But an Indiana school last year denied another Marine's request to wear his uniform at graduation.
Chapin High senior Sara Roger, who joined the Texas Army National Guard, said she understood the pride behind military service, but supported caps and gowns at graduation.
Roger, who was accepted to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., said that soldiers are asked to follow rules in the military and should do the same in high school.
"The cap and gown signifies the accomplishments we completed as individual students and as a class," Roger said. "I hope (Miles-McCarthy) would want to be like us and celebrate as a class."
Zahira Torres may be reached at ztorres@elpasotimes.com; 546-6156.
Ellie
By Zahira Torres/ El Paso Times
El Paso Times
Posted:04/06/2009 10:50:39 PM MDT
EL PASO -- Garrett Miles-McCarthy does not care about donning the traditional navy-blue cap and gown when he graduates from Chapin High School in June.
The 18-year-old, who completed his coursework in December and is now a private first class in the Marine Corps, wants to accept his high school diploma in his military uniform. The school principal rejected his request, but the fight has just begun.
His mother, Marie McCarthy, is pushing to change an El Paso Independent School District rule that prohibits students at graduation ceremonies from wearing anything other than the traditional regalia.
She is circulating petitions and hoping to enlist support from U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, celebrities such as country singer Toby Keith and veterans' groups.
"We are a nation at war right now and, typically, if you look back at history there have always been concessions made to show support for these kids going into the military," said McCarthy, wife of Army Sgt. Harold McCarthy, who is headed for a third tour in Iraq.
As for Miles-McCarthy, he said his Marine uniform is an important symbol.
"The cap and gown just shows that you did what was required of you, but the uniform shows you chose to do something more and serve your country," he said. "That should be recognized."
School board members next week will consider whether to bend or change the rules for Chapin's graduation ceremony so that Miles-McCarthy could receive his diploma in Marine dress blues.
School Principal Carla Gonzales has already turned down requests from the family, Marie McCarthy said.
"He is going out there putting his life on the line so that this principal has the freedom to tell him 'no,' " she said.
Her son initially was to graduate in May 2008 but finished a semester late. He then enlisted in the Marines and has completed basic training.
Most high schools in El Paso County require that students wear a cap and gown at graduation ceremonies. Many administrators said they had never been asked to let a student wear a military uniform.
So El Paso ISD administrators are compiling information from Fort Bliss officials and other school districts before crafting a recommendation for the school board.
But, they said, if the rules change for a Marine, schools would have to accommodate graduates with various religious beliefs, as well as those who want to wear uniforms of other organizations.
"If you are a transfer student from Korea or a transfer student from Japan, are you going to be able to wear a kimono?" district spokeswoman Berenice Zubia said. "We are not only talking about military uniforms or governmental uniforms. We are talking about all types of garments that people truly feel should be worn."
Nicholas Laccabue, a California high school student who attended boot camp with Miles-McCarthy, won a similar battle against his school district last month. Administrators let him wear his Marine Corps uniform during graduation after his parents sought help from politicians.
But an Indiana school last year denied another Marine's request to wear his uniform at graduation.
Chapin High senior Sara Roger, who joined the Texas Army National Guard, said she understood the pride behind military service, but supported caps and gowns at graduation.
Roger, who was accepted to the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, N.Y., said that soldiers are asked to follow rules in the military and should do the same in high school.
"The cap and gown signifies the accomplishments we completed as individual students and as a class," Roger said. "I hope (Miles-McCarthy) would want to be like us and celebrate as a class."
Zahira Torres may be reached at ztorres@elpasotimes.com; 546-6156.
Ellie