Utah school forces student to change out of kilt

[JimB]

Just so you know...I'm LDS, go to church every Sunday and wear a kilt at least 50% of those Sundays. It's very common for me to get comments about my kilt. The comments are usually along the lines of "hey, how come no kilt today?"
When I do wear one no one seems to notice and they certainly don't care if I do. I've got them used to it They only notice when I don't.
I wear a kilt for most of the activities I go to for the Society for Creative Anacronism. At one of those meetings I met a guy who has worn nothing else but kilts daily since he was 17. I put him at about 40.

We have a proud kllt wearing tradtion in Utah. We have many Scottish festivals, and great pipe bands. Kilts are not any more unique or commented upon (good or bad) here than anywhere else.
If we took a role call I think folks would be surprised how many Utah Kilties there are.

[rodandy]

One of my students came in his dad's Bear Kilt again today. Johnny-Ray's such an awesome kid!

Now if he'd just do his friggin' homework...

Ya can't have everything!

[Dixiecat]

Shouldn't I have?

Of course! I just wanted to applaud your use of it. Well played indeed.

[BKPowell]

Being that this event occurred in my own backyard, I would like to add my comments. I have lived in the North Ogden, Utah, area for over 30 years. My wife is the granddaughter of the Montgomery’s that came to these parts in the 1850's under the direction of Brother Young. It was they that named Mt Ben Lomond after the highlands they left in Scotland. Old Ben, as we call her, towers over my home and I see her every day. She is like an old friend, in good times and bad.

That being said, I should add that my grand mother on my mother's side was a Pinkerton, part of the Campbell clan. So, between the two of us, my wife and I, rediscovering our Scottish roots has been exciting. My wife is still uncomfortable with me and my kilts, but does allow me to wear them, especially to Celtic functions.

However, this issue at the local school has made the local and region news. The local paper, The Standard, in Ogden, has received so much attention over this that it is still the top story on their website. It is unfortunate that this event occurred, but it has provided an educational opportunity for those that would listen. My own wife was moved by the article from the paper, realizing just how valuable our Scottish culture is to us. It has helped her understand. Hopefully, it will help others to do the same.

On my 60th birthday, May 27th, my niece will be gradating from Ben Lomond High School. She wants me to attend, kilted, of course. Now I have to decide, do I wear the Blackwatch or the McDonald.

Brad

BTW, my wife and I are both LDS, married in the Salt Lake Temple. And, yes, Mormons do wear kilts.

[Morris at Heathfield]

Now I have to decide, do I wear the Blackwatch or the McDonald.

I'm not sure I like the direction this thread is headed.

[bear]

I don't think it matters if this happened in Utah or Alaska. The problem is with North American school sytems becoming crippled with bureaucracy to the point that many, (not all), teachers and administrators are so busy trying to follow mind numbing curriculum and insane rules, that they lose objectivity.
A school needs discipline to function and that should be the goal but when a principal or teacher starts making stuff up on the fly, there will always be trouble. The lad wore a man's garment to school, as he has every right to do. The principal knew this but was worried about appearances over substance. He was worried about 'what might be' over 'what is.'
I'm sure if the principal had taken a minute or two and thought about it, he would have left it alone. It was probably a knee jerk reaction to an overly sensitive PC culture. Learning institutions are places that should be about learning in a fun setting, not restricting students to drudgery based education.
It's no wonder so many kids can't spell correctly. They're trained to switch off their minds when they enter through the school doors.

[bricelythgoe]

The problem is with North American school sytems becoming crippled with bureaucracy to the point that many, (not all), teachers and administrators are so busy trying to follow mind numbing curriculum and insane rules, that they lose objectivity.

I agree completely! Unfortunately that comes with being run by the government. I wish it would change! Oh how I wish!

[fluter]

You used the plural of forum in a sentence!

Love it, DC.

If we stick around, I'll bet we could observe him properly to use the subjunctive mood!

[Monkey@Arms]

Well the Principal came out looking bad in this one. They even made a cartoon making fun of him the Utah paper.



On the on-line edition it is subtitled "Principal Wedgy" and accompanied by a follow-up editorial here.

Best regards,

Jake

[sathor]

I can't imagine that the principal is going to stay in that district long. His gaffe made international news. If the HS didn't have a band that wears kilts, it might blow over easily. But the incident getting world wide coverage the way it did, every time he sees the local pipe bands.... I don't think he would be canned, I believe he will try to find a new job somewhere else.

________

Reminds me of the McHale's Navy movie (the new one)

"Biggins? Isn't he the guy that sank the Love Boat?"
"It wasn't the real Love Boat."