School Bans Enlisted Teen From Wearing Army Sash To Graduation

A Pennsylvania teenager was left devastated after her high school refused to allow her to wear her black and gold U.S. Army sash when she attends graduation this weekend, even though she has already enlisted in the military and is heading to boot camp in August.

Fox News reported that officials at Central Valley High School in Beaver County refused Toni Kress’ request to wear the sash, telling her that it “didn’t match school colors.” Though Kress was saddened by the decision, she said she intends to respect her school’s rules.

“People are saying I’m going to be a rule breaker, but I have no intention of doing that at all. If the school says I’m not going to wear it, I’m not going to wear it. I’m not going to disrespect the school like that,” Kress said during an appearance on “Fox & Friends.” “But if I do have a chance, I’ll wear it off stage.”

Her father, Wayne Kress, a U.S. Air Force veteran, feels the same way as his daughter.

“I’m very disappointed in the school,” he agreed. “She worked hard for this. She went through the ROTC program through the school. In today’s world where we have kids out there eating Tide pods, she’s willing to stand up and fight for her country.”

Principal Shawn McCreary has defended his decision to not let Kress wear the sash, even though she says nothing in the school handbook says anything about banning students from wearing something like this.

“Our graduation is a formal ceremony,” McCreary said. “We do not permit students to wear anything on their gowns that depicts what their future plans may be.”

Kress made a point of saying that this controversy has not made her any less excited about serving her country.

“I am really stoked to serve my country, it’s been my dream since I was a kid,” she said.

It’s sickening that a young woman who is about to put her life on the line to serve her country is being told she can’t honor the Army during her own graduation. School administrators should be ashamed of themselves for this blatant anti-Army decision!

SHARE this story if you think Toni Kress should be allowed to wear her sash!