School Bans Girl Who Shaves Head in Support of Cancer-Stricken Friend
What started out as an act of compassion has turned into a heated controversy. In a gesture of solidarity, a young girl in Grand Junction, Colorado shaved her head to support her best friend, 11-year-old Delaney Clements, who is embattled in a fight against cancer. "It felt like the right thing to do," says Kamryn Renfro of her newly-shorn look.
However, when Kamryn went to school the next day, she wasn't allowed in because her shaved head violated the school's dress code policy.
In a statement released by the school, Catherine Norton Breman, President and Chair of Caprock Academy Board of Directors addressed their policy:
Caprock Academy does have a detailed dress code policy, which was created to promote safety, uniformity, and a non-distracting environment for the school's students. Under this policy, shaved heads are not permitted.
Kamryn's mother and Delaney were shocked when she was not allowed into school. "It makes me sad because she was really happy to go back to school and show people what she did, but now that she didn't get to, she's kind of sad," said Delaney of her best friend's gesture.
The school headmaster said Kamryn will be allowed back to school on Tuesday, but the board stands by their decision to ban her. The school has said exceptions can sometimes be made, but only under extraordinary circumstances.
The board plans to meet Tuesday night to discuss the situation and policy.