Update on Nathan Warmak

[bubba]

Were the school board and the Principal a bit shellshocked by the international response to the incident? I'm kinda curious about that.

[pmack]

The Lawyer is going to email me a copy of the papers we signed. It was an apology, a change in the dress code and training to recognize cultural attire. And a flier passed out in time before the prom to let all the students know that if the wish they can wear Formal cultural attire. There is a registry for Nathan's attire at Yahoo! groups under nathans_kilt. I forget what they are lacking. But the support has been sooooo wonderful. The news media was quite shocked when they received a copy of the petition yesterday morning. Scrunching the font down to 8 pt. it was still 326 pages. It did shock everyone. And I know the tv news showed the school board the STACK of papers. All the support has been so touching. The unity of everyone has been something you don't see too often. Again, Thank you!!!!! When I get the papers emailed to me I will post them.

[Robin]

Fantastic!

[MACKAY]

This is wonderful news ... a victory not only for Nathan, but for every one who signed the petition and for anyone who supported Natan. Way to go all!!!!

Brian Mackay

[Cawdorian]

Great news, perhaps this event will serve as an example or point of reference for any other High School Principal in the US who has difficulity sorting out cultural and ethnic issues.

[Jerry]

Congratulations to Nathan and all of his family. It looks like the good guys won for a change.

[lcjones]

This is indeed a great day. Conratulations to Nathan and his family. And a very large thank you to the Warmack Family for doing an excellent job of bringing all cultures closer together. Without their persistance and dedication this episode of cultural disenfranchisement would have been lost forever. And now, it stands as a beacon of light for all to see.

As well, I do believe the Scottish heritage community and the kilting community in general deserve a rousing round of applause for stepping up to the plate in support of the Warmacks and obviously, that which is righteous. Well done folks. Well done. Civility and honor has won the day.

Best to you all.

Les

[GMan]

326 pages for the petition--WOW!

[Sherry]

This is Beth's report (she & Mike Pearson went to Jackson to give support):

WE WON! WE WON!

We got a formal apology from the school board, in writing...and we got the dress code ammended to allow for celebration of heritage(all heritages) through the wearing of cultural attire in a respectful and appropriate manner. Further, the school will be
issuing a letter to the media outlining the changes, distributing a flyer prior to prom explaining their NEW policy of non-
discrimination and their new policy of training programs for the
staff of the school district to help them recognize, and understand cultural dress!

THIS WAS A 100% WIN!

I extended a thank you to the school board on behalf of Clan Gunn of North America for the school board's actions in making what we feel is the correct decision in this matter, and I thanked them for showing leadership in helping the young people of this community to embrace their heritages.

..and I must say, Mike and I looked STUNNING in our Gunn plaid!

~ beth

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I'm so happy about this best case win. I think everybody wins with these decisions.

I can't wait to see Nathan in full garb--he will look awesome!

Those who want to donate anything (I think the Warmaks need $$ to pay off the loan for the lawyer's expenses; there aren't many pieces of the kit left to supply, if any at all, assuming everyone fulfills their promises), can go to the page Mike Pearson has set up:
http://www.ancestrallineages.com/donation/

[royce52]

Before the school board meeting, an African-American gentleman came up
to us at the 6 pm TV interview and told us he supported our efforts
because his daughter wants to wear a traditional robe to her prom in 2
years.

The local TV station aired the agreement and even cited the section
issueing an apology from the school board and Mr. McClard. So Nathan
received a public broadcast apology.

I headed home shortly after the 10:00 pm news broadcast tried to get
some sleep at the hotel in Cape Girardeau but just couldn't do it so I
headed home before midnight. It started raining just north of the
Missouri/Arkansas border and continued raining almost all the way to
Texarkana. Had to stop three times for naps and it took me 12 hours to
get home but I made it here with a brain that is almost mush for lack
of sleep.

I'm gonna find a soft place to lie down!

BTW - I was playing Smithfield Fair's "Longships" as I was driving
into Jackson <grin>!

Mike (Norse raider of states north of Texas)