School Bans Girls’ “Sausage Rolls” From Graduation Ceremony
Photo: Bri Burtop/Facebook
This year’s prom season was rife with stories of mishandled dress codes, angered parents (and students), and ruined high school memories. Why should graduation be any different? As we approach the end of the school year, many students are gearing up to celebrate their years of hard work, and the start of real life. They’ll want to wear something special underneath their cap and gown, for family photos, hanging out with friends, and commemorating their childhood. Which is great, as long as they don’t have sausage rolls.
An awards ceremony and graduation dress code packet distributed at Biglerville High School in Pennsylvania outlined what is and isn’t appropriate to wear to the graduation ceremony. For guys, khakis or dress slacks with a collared shirt are preferred. If jeans are a must, then they must be nice ones, and all pants have to be pulled up. “Your underwear choices should be your own private choice and remain private,” the instructions said. “Besides, it’s a really bad look to be walking in hanging onto your drawers to keep them from falling down.”
Women have been advised to choose “modest attire,” and were given similar warnings about their undergarments, warning that they’ll be sitting on a stage above the audience and that the crowd will be looking up at them. “Therefore, if your skirt is too short, it means that everyone will know exactly what kind of underwear you have on. The same guideline applies to you…some choices should remain private.“
And the suggestions didn’t stop there. It continued: “No bellies showing, keep ‘the girls’ covered and supported, and make sure that nothing is so small that your bits and pieces are hanging out.” When choosing an outfit, the students are reminded that onlookers “don’t want to be looking at “sausage rolls.” Lastly, they’re told to “remember that you can’t put 10 pounds of mud in a five-pound sack.”
Outraged by the protocols, senior Brianna Burtop, from Gardners, Penn., posted them to her Facebook wall. “I didn’t know it was okay to insult your female students. Weight shouldn’t be used for comedic relief,” she wrote alongside a snapshot of the most inappropriate parts. She also pointed out the sexism of the statute, and said that while she understands the importance of modesty and professionalism, shaming a woman — especially a young, impressionable one — is never OK.
Burtop’s peers, friends, and strangers all chimed in on her page. Most were equally as outraged, encouraging the 18-year-old to voice her opinion to the school. Both she and her mother, Jess Burtop, who even threatened a sexual harassment suit (which she is not filing).
Eventually, the school responded. “The document does not reflect the high standards of the Upper Adams School District, and the Administration will take appropriate action to address the issue,” the statement said, noting that the form was drafted years ago, and the author has since retired. “While we regret that the document contained some unfortunate word choices, we do respect all students and hope this does not distract from the dignity of the graduation ceremony and the accomplishments of our graduating class.”
Burtop isn’t satisfied. “Honestly, I feel like they’re not fully taking responsibility,” she tells Yahoo Style. “But if everyone is happy then I am too. Ultimately they’re changing the letter, which was my goal.” Interestingly enough, the exact same solicitation was handed out for years and no one took notice until now. Asked why she thinks it took so long for someone to raise issue with it, Burtop says, “I don’t think anyone was brave enough to actually speak up. I don’t think a lot of people feel comfortable addressing the school with their issues. I know in the past I’ve come to them with concerns, and nothing was done. I know other girls were offended. But the girls brushed it off as just a joke.”
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