Student's photo banned from yearbook

[Monkeyleg]

Yahoo news seems to have some interesting stories today. This one is about a Colorado school's yearbook editors rejecting a photo of a graduating senior because they thought it was too revealing.

The photo and story are here.

I think it's interesting that it was the panel of student editors who thought the photo was a bad fit for the yearbook, rather than some old, fuddy-duddy administrators. It's also interesting that the girl's parents are looking to sue (surprise) because the panel won't allow her to look like a hooker in her senior photo. I don't think I've ever met the parents of any girl I knew who would be so adamant about having a slutty-looking photo of their daughter in the high school yearbook.

But, then, I'm just an old fart.

[Boomhauer]

I don't think I've ever met the parents of any girl I knew who would be so adamant about having a slutty-looking photo of their daughter in the high school yearbook

Today's parents proudly dress their daughters in hooker-worthy outfits from very young ages. It's completely ridiculous.

Also, another great example of parent nuttiness is to watch the show "Toddlers and Tiaras". To me, much of what goes on in that show is child abuse.

ETA: Good one from the comments section:

Why do I see a pole and clear heels in her future?

[cassandra and sara's daddy]

my 10 year old gave thumbs down on the pic

[lupinus]

Today's parents proudly dress their daughters in hooker-worthy outfits from very young ages.

Also, another great example of parent nuttiness is to watch the show "Toddlers and Tiaras". To me, much of what goes on in that show is child abuse.

Wife likes that show, so I see it on occasion and agree. Some of the kids do seem to enjoy it but mostly its for mom benifit to compensate for her being old and....a couple pounds beefier that she used to be. For the kids that seem to enjoy it fine whatever, but the ones basically forced to do it make me want to smack the ever loving snot out of their parents.

I've made it quite clear that if we ever have a daughter there's no way in hell she's getting dressed up lie an asian child hooker and paraded on stage like an animal at auction.

[freakazoid]

Meh, the picture doesn't seem bad at all. Covers way more than a bikini. Oh noes, a stomach.

[Jamisjockey]

They probably figure she's just an undiscovered model and every photoshoot is her chance at a big break.

[BlueStarLizzard]

I wasn't even thinking pole. She looks like she's posing for her porn debut...
 

And here I was thinking it was going to be some artsy fartsy photo. Yeah, I pretty sure that violates dress code and every school policy involving female deportment.
The sad thing is, if she HAS to make herself look like a slut, there are plenty of ways to do so within dress code and in a more age appropriate outfit. At least there where when I was that age.

That's not freedom of expression. That's shock value (and pathitic shock value at that) and compleatly out of spirit with yearbook.

[seeker_two]

my 10 year old gave thumbs down on the pic

So did my wife....

If this gal wanted to confirm her slut-hood, she could have done it more subtley....like having the football team post reviews on her "playbook".....

[MechAg94]

I sort of thought a close up with the same outfit that only showed the head and upper torso would likely not be so bad.  But yeah, the picture is showing a lot of skin for a year book photo.  That one is getting down the road to being on the wall at Hooters.

[Monkeyleg]

At least there where when I was that age.

Pictures, please.

My guess is that this girl has, in Rodney Dangerfield's words, been voted "Most Likely To".

[Terpsichore]

Kudos to the editors for thinking there was a better picture she could have submitted so she looked more like a lady vs....how did someone else on here put it?  Ready for her "big debut" sans pole?  They even gave her the option to use that pic in the senior ad instead.  Sounds like they were willing to compromise.  As a parent, there is no way I'd let my daughter dress like that for her senior pic.  What are these parents thinking?

[230RN]

Any publicity is good publicity.... Hef, you gonna give her a call now?

[GigaBuist]

I wasn't even thinking pole. She looks like she's posing for her porn debut...

Same idea, just a different pole.

[MicroBalrog]

So help me, on what grounds exactly are they suing?

[Strings]

>So help me, on what grounds exactly are they suing?<

Blocking her pursuit of happiness in the porn industry?

[Terpsichore]

Maybe she wants to be a model and this was her way to get lots of attention?

[De Selby]

So help me, on what grounds exactly are they suing?

Public schools act with the power of a government - they do not and should not have the power to limit student expression to the same degree as a private school. 

[MicroBalrog]

Public schools act with the power of a government - they do not and should not have the power to limit student expression to the same degree as a private school. 

This is true, but do not schools generally have guidelines as to what may or may not appear in yearbook photos?

Has this young lady conformed to these guidelines?

[wmenorr67]

Public schools act with the power of a government - they do not and should not have the power to limit student expression to the same degree as a private school. 

But it was the yearbook committee, made up of students, that said no.

[De Selby]

But it was the yearbook committee, made up of students, that said no.

That's fine - they cannot have any more power than their school officials when it comes to an official school function, though.  

Micro, they might have guidelines, but those wouldn't mean much if they violated rights you'd normally have against the Government - again for obvious reasons.  Schools are some of the biggest offenders in thinking their policies don't have to follow the law.  This is most in evidence on APS in discussions about school policies on firearms and the second amendment.

[vaskidmark]

Maybe it's because "things were different when I was ....." but aren't yearbook pictures head-and-shoulders mug shots?

From the article it appears that she can buy space in the yearbook (senior ad) and the editors say they  would be more than happy to run her picture there.  Also from the article, it appears that the yearbook is "award-winning" - which probably means it has a history of winning some award.  This year's editors apparently want to keep the tradition of winning that award alive and feel that her picture jeopardizes their chances.  That may be just their opinion or it may have been planted in their little heads by their faculty advisor.  But in either case it seems there are some objective criteria being used in the decision.

If I thought I could get away with it, I'd use that picture in the yearbook with the caption "Most likely to have already ...."   And tell her that's how the picture was going to be used.

stay safe.

[BlueStarLizzard]

This is true, but do not schools generally have guidelines as to what may or may not appear in yearbook photos?

Has this young lady conformed to these guidelines?

Yeah, and nope.

You can pretty much expect that school dress code falls on any school related activity or publication. The only exception is school dances, where you can bend the rules a bit, but not out right break them. Like, a strapless formal dress is ok, strapless hooker worthy dresswith a hem at the ass, not so much.

That outfit does not conform to any school (or work, outside the afore mentioned career feilds) dress code that I've ever seen.

To be honest, i'm suprised they're willing to give her ad space.

[seeker_two]

To be honest, i'm suprised they're willing to give her ad space.

Me too....unless they take ads from the local escort services.....

[MrsSmith]

The editors have control of what goes in the publication. That's the way it is in the real world, that's the way it should be in this school too, public or private. The editors spoke. And this would remain my opinion even if I didn't happen to agree with them, though I do.

[MicroBalrog]

Do I think this image is as horrible as the majority of APS seems to? No, I do not.

Do I support the existence of school uniforms and dress codes? No, I do not.

Do I even support the existence of public schools? No, I do not.

But I suspect very much that, from a standpoint of what the law is, the school is probably going to be in the clear, for reasons that MrsSmith explained already.