Parent Threatens To Sic ACLU On School After Daughter’s Yearbook Photo Rejected
January 9, 2012 at 8:37 am by kniption
Durango, CO - The parent of a Colorado teen has threatened involving the ACLU after claiming that the rejection of her daughter’s submitted yearbook photo is “censorship.” This, of course, would represent a landmark expansion of the ALCU’s role – given that they have not previously undertaken litigation in the area of bad taste.
Sydney Spies, an 18-year-old dancer and aspiring model, submitted a photo of her standing on steps wearing a black shawl as a top and a short yellow skirt. The ensemble left her showing her bare middrif. Given that such a photo is entirely appropriate for Myspace a high school yearbook, you can imagine Ms Spies’ shock when she was informed that the photo was rejected.
The reason for the rejection was not clear, however. Ms Spies reportedly told local news media that school administrators said her attire violated dress code – specifically because her top didn’t “fully cover the chest, back, abdomen and sides of the student.” The yearbook staff disagreed.
“The administration really had nothing to do with it,” Tevan Trujillo, a student yearbook editor, told a local newspaper. “It was us.”
“We are an award-winning yearbook. We don’t want to diminish the quality with something that can be seen as unprofessional,” yearbook editor Brian Jaramillo is quoted as saying.
Soon after, Ms Spies’ shock apparently turned to rage with her, her mother and some friends picketing outside the school with signs stating that barring her photo violated her ‘freedom of expression.’ Ms Spies’ mother, Miki Spies, also reportedly took to social media to make the case.
“I wanted my daughter to cho(o)se a different photo but she is 18 and doesn’t always listen!” Miki Spies wrote on Facebook. “Some are upset (th)at the administration is strong-arming the students.” …and others are upset that you were unable to type even one of those sentences without it requiring corrections, Miki.
Miki added, “We’ll get the ACLU involved if they censor.” Miki… I am going to ignore the dangling modifier and give you two thumbs up on that one! Well done!!
It is interesting to note that this is not the first time that the Durango High School yearbook staff has been under fire for their allegedly Draconian photo selection methods. Two years ago, yearbook staff reportedly rejected a photo of a male student showing him bare-chested. That action, too, was met with charges of censorship.
From this, one could theorize that Ms Spies was fully aware of this earlier confict and, using a photo structured to produce a similar reaction, created a scenario by which Ms Spies could generate publicity for her aspiring dancing/modeling career in an effort to propel her – with lightning speed – to professional Paris Hilton-esque stardom. …but that would make her, essentially, an attention whore. Nah… Not possible.
I know that you are all outraged at this school’s actions – and rightly so. But before all of you start packing for Occupy Durango, there is word of a resolution on the horizon. Ms Spies is reportedly paying to put the “banned” photo into the yearbook.
It was reported that there is a yearbook section reserved for paid senior advertisements. Those ads, located at the back of the yearbook, are described to feature “shout-outs” from friends and family. It appears that yearbook officials have concluded that Ms Spies photo can be included in that section without the section, presumably, ending up looking too much like a Las Vegas entertainment guide.
“JR and I bought an ad for Sydney Spies to celebrate her childhood in the yearbook,” Miki Spies reportedly posted on her Facebook page. “Syd bought an additional full page WITH HER OWN MONEY so that she could have the picture that was banned included.”
In describing the transaction, Miki Spies reportedly stated that one of the editors told her “That’s fine, but we are putting it on the back page so everybody can tear it out.” Based on the news account, it appeared that Miki may have been insulted at the implication that the photo would be removed in order to be disposed. We cannot be sure, but it is quite possible that the editor was merely pointing out the fappological potential that the photograph may hold for her fellow students.
Tags: censorship, Colorado, Durango High School, Sydney Spies
