Trying to Convince.

[Strings]

I'm willing to bet that the members here would be willing to loan you anything you don't have/can't immediately get for yourself...

[Nighthawk]

If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again.

If you say something enough times, people will believe it no matter how absurd it is.

Keep the talk going with the principal. Buy him lunch one day. ;-) I used to do that when I was in school. But we only had 80 students so it was quite intimate. We didn't have a layer of vice people to deal with!

Seriously, keep the talk going. Bring the topic up every chance you get. After a while people will get numb to the idea and it just won't be an issue.

Personally, I would have just did it without asking permission. If I was really worried about it, I would bring a pair of pants to change into if they banned me from entrance with out them.

That's always been my approach as well- it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission. But then, as readers of this thread (and the board) may have noticed, I have little bit of an edge to me. I wouldn't have even brought pants.

[bigdad1]

By all means speak to the principal in person and face to face. Ask him for a meeting a few days in advance so his schedule is clear for you and you won't be interrupted and short changed. As everyone else has suggested come prepared and be sure of yourself. If you act as if you expect to come away the winner you will project yourself into a winning situation. Again as has been mentioned plan exactly what you want to say, develop a script and practice, practice and then practice one final time. Look the principal in the eye and speak clearly and concisely and don't blather. Stick to your main points and then give him time to respond. Have answers ready for anything you think he might ask. Then, when you have his permission, thank him and leave as quickly as you can so he can't change his mind. Good luck and enjoy the prom.

[BassClefB]

I am very surprised that it has not been acknowledged by the school administrators that the kilt is far more 'dressy' than most any ensemble any of our friend's classmates will put together for this occasion. Most people used Prom as an excuse to wear a dog-ugly tux and just dress foolishly. Our friend is showing how it's supposed to be done. You'd think the Principal would recognize this, particularly since the Prom is an 'extracurricular' activity.

[The Guy in the Kilt at UC]

It was mentioned before. Here is a link to the story about the formal apology. This story is about a student who wore a kilt to a school dance. The principal told the student to change into pants, and the superintendent had to write a formal letter of apology to the student in the aftermath.

In this story the school district is forcing the principal to apologize to a student after ordering him to change out of his kilt.

In this one a Bedford, Ohio principal was forced to apologize. (not too far from my hometown).

In 1993, a student in Fayette County, Ga., was not allowed to enter his prom at McIntosh High School because he showed up in a kilt and refused to change clothes.

There is a lot of disfavor against your principal's stance. And depending on the state in which you live, he may not have a choice in the matter. I think it's time you presented him with your argument (not the VP this time) and ask for his decision in writing. I doubt he will be so quick to dismiss you.

I also believe it may do a lot of good for XMTS to draft a letter in support of young Issac, if it can be done without any nasty threats that is. There is a lot of positive support amongst Scots groups, and even congress itself.

[ForresterModern]

Isaac

I commend you for your maturity, thought processes, judgement, perseverence, and patience with regard to this whole matter. I would be proud to have you as a son, a student, a protege, with qualities you have shown throughout this whole process. I would continue on your quest to wear your full dress kilt outfit to the prom in the spring, and use every option in the books within reason to get approval to do so.

I personally will stand by you by offering up any personal kilt items I possess in loan to you as needed in order for your kilt outfit for prom to be really spiffy------dress or full mask sporrans, belts and buckles, bow or other ties, hose, flashes, kilt pins, headwear, pocket watch, even a kilt or Argyll jacket and vest and ghillie brogues if we are the same size (which I doubt--I am a 45 waist kilt, 52Xlong jacket, and US13 shoes). I will even pay for the shipping to and from your place if it helps you get to make a splash at prom, becasue a young man with your courage and perseverence deserves to do well and look good.

You can click on my name above to reach my personal information page, and there should be several picture albums which show much but not all of my kilt gear. You can also search my posts and threads for more photos of stuff that might not be in the albums. If you are intertested PM me and we can talk more.

I wish you well young man with your quest. Let us all know how things are going and if we can offer any further assistance and advice.

Jeff

[CDNSushi]

Although I agree in principle with what UC said, with all due respect to what he said, it's my honest opinion that presenting the principal with examples and cases of other principals having to apologize to students is necessarily the best tack. At best it will come across as smart-alecky, and at worst, coercion. No one likes to be bullied into seeing your point of view. As the old saying goes, "A mind changed against its will, is of the same opinion still."

I think you've received ample other excellent advice that you shouldn't have to present an "or else" scenario. I fully support speaking with the principal in person, preferably when he's not swamped with work, in a crappy mood, or otherwise occupied, and when you won't be interrupted. IF it were to be considered alright to do so, (in my HS it would have been), going out for lunch with him (or coffee) might be a good way to do this. Next, other than pointing out the obvious (that you want to honour your family roots and traditions, not be a rebel like those who tried something like this before you), I would also try to include WHY he should let you wear your kilt in a way that benefits HIM. Seriously. People are self-serving and look out for number one. He needs to know what's in it for HIM to let YOU wear your kilt. Think about that angle. One idea that comes to my mind is, that by letting you wear your kilt, HIS school might be seen as progressive and unafraid to allow students to express their culture and ethnicity... (Just a brief example).

As for what UC wrote, I would take that as reference material for your own personal edification, but not as something to wield as a weapon.

Good luck.

Jim

It was mentioned before. Here is a link to the story about the formal apology. This story is about a student who wore a kilt to a school dance. The principal told the student to change into pants, and the superintendent had to write a formal letter of apology to the student in the aftermath.

In this story the school district is forcing the principal to apologize to a student after ordering him to change out of his kilt.

In this one a Bedford, Ohio principal was forced to apologize. (not too far from my hometown).

In 1993, a student in Fayette County, Ga., was not allowed to enter his prom at McIntosh High School because he showed up in a kilt and refused to change clothes.

There is a lot of disfavor against your principal's stance. And depending on the state in which you live, he may not have a choice in the matter. I think it's time you presented him with your argument (not the VP this time) and ask for his decision in writing. I doubt he will be so quick to dismiss you.

I also believe it may do a lot of good for XMTS to draft a letter in support of young Issac, if it can be done without any nasty threats that is. There is a lot of positive support amongst Scots groups, and even congress itself.

[Alan H]

Isaac, I am also impressed with your level-headedness and mature response to this.

If you to go the principal and win approval, but you can't afford to rent black-tie stuff, you can HAVE my Eton Jacket, a dress shirt still in the bag, and my open-backed waistcoat. Wear it to the Prom, you'll own it. They'll fit a 46-inch chest, which is probably way too big for you, but the offer stands.

Carry on, mate.

[Smayniac]

Isaac, I am also impressed with your level-headedness and mature response to this.

If you to go the principal and win approval, but you can't afford to rent black-tie stuff, you can HAVE my Eton Jacket, a dress shirt still in the bag, and my open-backed waistcoat. Wear it to the Prom, you'll own it. They'll fit a 46-inch chest, which is probably way too big for you, but the offer stands.

Carry on, mate.

If you're going to divest yourself of your formalwear Alan, at least this is in a good cause, good on ye!

[dfmacliam]

Good for you, on the maturity of your handling of this matter.

A question, how is your parents position, on this matter? If you have their support, I would suggest a meeting with your Principal, you, and your parents.. with him seeing this a matter important enough to have your parents support, and not just a teenager wishing to make a statement. He just may give his consent to your wearing of the kilt. In a mature presentation of your request, with facts, and a desire to represent your ethnicity in a fitting and proper manner, you should be able to gain a positive result.

Do not go in with both guns blazing, acting irrational, because you will be met with resistance, that is just human nature.. but make it so that the descision is made with a good feeling, for all parties involved.. that way.. everybody wins.. and it paves a way for others to be able to present their own cultural identity, without the fear of negativity.. or the need for political or legal blackmail...