The new campus dress code has become difficult for students too swallow on account of its apparent contradiction with today’s trendy fashions. Such fashions that have made a large impact on teens today such as halters, tub tops, spaghetti straps, midriff bearing tops, mini skirts, low riding pants and flip flops have become unacceptable in today’s school systems.

“The dress code is pretty reasonable,” Jessica Persiani, ’03, said. “They give us room to wear what we want as long as we do not show a lot of skin.”

Before the start of the 2001-2002 school year, the administration met to revise and establish new rules concerning the dress code. New rules became added which state that all shoes and sandals must consist of a back strap and all shirts should not expose bare shoulders.

“I do not mind the rules on clothing that much,” Danae Cook, ’05, said. “However, I think we should be able to wear backless shoes because most of today’s shoe styles are strapless.” Amongst the female students the most talked about part of the dress code seems to be the rule that applies to footwear. When asked about the issue of backless shoes, student leadership teacher, Eunie McEntee, voiced her concern.

“It promotes too casual a look and is also a safety issue for students,” McEntee said. While many students have come to accept a majority of the rules, a few would like additions to be made.

“I think that guys should be allowed to have at least one earring,” Nick Crawford, ’04, said. “Because girls are allowed to have two.”

At the heart of the dress code matter there are several underlying issues: liability, modesty, conservatism and personal taste.

Vice Principal Ginger Niemeyer also gave her opinion on the issue.

“The dress code promotes a respect for the school,” Niemeyer said. “It helps students take the work they are doing more seriously and prepares them for the future.”