school board apologizes to student for banning his use of aaa scottish
kilt
Updated: 04:49 PM EST
High School Student Receives Apology Over Kilt
By BETSY TAYLOR, AP
JACKSON, Mo. (Jan. 10) -- It appears a great kilt debate in southeast
Missouri has come to a close. After being told to change out of a kilt
at a school dance this fall, Jackson High School senior Nathan Warmack
received an apology during a school board meeting Monday night. It came
with a promise from the district's superintendent to train staff in
properly interpreting the school's dress code.
Warmack, 18, wore a kilt to a dance in November with a dress ****rt and
tie as a way to recognize his Scottish heritage. Principal Rick McClard
told Warmack to change into pants, sparking an Internet petition that
drew comment from around the world and angered Scottish heritage
organizations who felt the student's outfit was appropriate.
"Everything turned out exactly the way we were hoping," the student's
father, Terry Warmack, said Tuesday. "It ended up going further than we
anticipated, but we're thankful to the school board for how things
went."
Calls to school officials and the Warmacks' lawyer were not immediately
returned.
Nathan wore his kilt to the school board meeting. The student plans to
wear it again to his school prom, and Scottish groups are working to
provide him with an entire outfit of formal Scottish dress. Several of
the donated pieces are being handmade by Scots around the U.S.
Terry Warmack said he came away from the meeting convinced that school
officials will now protect against discrimination based on national
origin. He also said he didn't think too much had been made of the
incident.
"I don't believe it's blowing something out of pro****tion if you're
fighting for something you believe is a right," he said.
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