Alberta teen wins rights to kilt

[Lallans]

I trust we all remember the issue of Hamish Jacobs, the graduating Canadian teen who was denied permission to wear his kilt to his graduation ceremony- I haven't been able to dig out the earlier thread which was I believe started by a family member. Anyway, I just got a phone call saying that the school caved in and sure enough a story in the Calgary Herald newspaper confirms that: I'm pasting on the text here:

It looks like 19-year-old Hamish Jacobs will be dressed to kilt on graduation day, after all. The young lad from southwestern Alberta won the right to bare his legs -- and don his family tartan -- after standing up to his elders at Westwind School Division in Raymond.

After international media scrutiny, trustees finally agreed to bend the rules on the school policy that says boys can't show their legs under their graduation gowns.

Jacobs simply wanted to wear a kilt, in honour of his Scottish heritage.

The moral of this story? Teachers can learn a thing or two from their students.

The lesson officials failed to grasp is that the Scots have had a great influence on Canada and Canadians. The Scottish were among the first settlers, Nova Scotia was thus named for New Scotland, every province and territory but Nunavut has regional tartans, and the bagpipes that came with early fur traders inspired General Wolfe's Highlanders to capture Quebec in 1759.

The bagpipes are still a significant part of Canadian pomp and pageantry, serving in official ceremonies such as the Ceremonial Guard at Rideau Hall, when the soldiers march to their posts at the main gate accompanied by a bagpiper.

Canadian and Scottish soldiers during the First World War became known as the Devils in Skirts for their bravery in serving their country. If it's good enough for war, surely it's good enough for graduation?

By going public, Hamish Jacobs won his battle against obtuse officials. We know what he'll be wearing under his gown to collect his high school diploma. As for what he wears under his kilt? That's best left to tradition, and remain a mystery.

© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald


Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/opinion...#ixzz0pcvjg1s9

Freedom! Freedom!

[Whidbey78]

OUTSTANDING!!!!

I remember this story well. Not only did the young man win in the end, he did it without breaking the rules, and maintained his composure and showed a level of maturity beyond his years.

He stuck to his goals ans his principals and handled this with class.

Well done Hamish! You are an excellent example to you peers.

[denmcdough]

Excellent news to hear!

[AFS1970]

It's about time.

[BoldHighlander]

Excellent news!

Canadian and Scottish soldiers during the First World War became known as the Devils in Skirts for their bravery in serving their country.

I have heard this term before, but they were more commonly known to their enemies as "The Ladies From Hell"

[nloken]

That's fantastic! It's wonderful to see that someone manages to "win over the man" in a decent manner!

I am quite curious about the kilt they use as illustration in the article, though. There is a pocket of some sorts there, possibly as a modern interpretation of an attached sporran or something, I don't know. The strange thing is that it seems to be fitted over the pleats, and not on the front apron as one would expect. Anyone seen this before?

[BLHS209]

HERE, HERE!! Congratulations Hamish. Hope we all get to see photo's of the event.

[Lallans]

That's fantastic! It's wonderful to see that someone manages to "win over the man" in a decent manner!

I am quite curious about the kilt they use as illustration in the article, though. There is a pocket of some sorts there, possibly as a modern interpretation of an attached sporran or something, I don't know. The strange thing is that it seems to be fitted over the pleats, and not on the front apron as one would expect. Anyone seen this before?

They used the same photo in the last go-round. I was wondering if an expert would comment on the thing, because to me it looks like a completely unique garment and is possibly not a kilt at all. More like a skirt with a bizarre book-holder kind of thing attached to the front?

[nloken]

They used the same photo in the last go-round. I was wondering if an expert would comment on the thing, because to me it looks like a completely unique garment and is possibly not a kilt at all. More like a skirt with a bizarre book-holder kind of thing attached to the front?

My thought exactly! So, the question still stands: Anyone out there who might shed some light as to what type of special garment this might be?

[tulloch]

That is fantastic news! Thank you for bringing it to our attention.